Portugal's top court rejects parts of immigration law

Lisbon: Portugal s constitutional court on Friday rejected some elements of an immigration law pushed through by the government, forcing it to be re w...

Lisbon: Portugal's constitutional court on Friday rejected some elements of an immigration law pushed through by the government, forcing it to be re-written and presented for a new vote.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa had asked for the ruling from the country's highest court, which objected in particular to articles governing family reunification, the court's president Jose Joao Abrantes told journalists.

The left has criticised centre-right Prime Minister Luis Montenegro for pushing through a landmark overhaul of immigration rules without consultations, as well as for relying on the support of the far-right Chega party for its passage.

"We will not abandon our goal, even if we have to reformulate the law," Montenegro said Thursday evening, before the court delivered its ruling.

"If a provision is not fully consistent with constitutional principles, the majority will respect that decision and find a legal solution," he said.