I feel the need to call a little time-out this week, in order to acknowledge and address the shifting sands of Portugal’s attractiveness to foreign investors, whether they be bringing time, money or effort to the festa, probably a mix of all three.
It’s an elephant in the room issue, for sure, which – as with all problematic pachyderms – is best discussed, even if it’s awkward to do so. We will attempt to approach any ‘cringe’ around this with sensitivity and respect, and as ever, endeavour to be solution-focused and perhaps even inspiring. We’ll see.
For us foreigners now living in Portugal, we mostly knew we were “not in Kansas anymore”. And some are wondering if they are even in Portugal anymore, at least compared to the peri- and post-pandemic salad days of inward migration. And those more recently pondering the proposition might be wondering whether to click the heels that can propel them in this direction, given a succession of legal changes and political shifts that are prompting second thoughts and re-programmed spreadsheets.
On the most cursory and superficial levels of analysis, I’m personally going with a big, fat “sim” of certainty, when it comes to my own thought processes and considerations on the matter, knowing that what’s going on here is not vastly different to the geo-political upheavals that are taking place in many other parts of Europe. And whilst choosing to remember that it’s all relative, a lot of this comes down to that most pragmatic of decision-making tools: “What’s the alternative?”
On that basis, Portugal does fare well in my estimation and remains a great place to live, work and raise a family, which, believe me, is not faint praise. Just this weekend, I was invited to cut the ribbon at a new community arts centre; on Saturday night DJ’d, danced and sang at our monthly disco and karaoke party for locals and tourists alike; and spent Sunday afternoon swimming in the local bay, before having a convivial dinner, al fresco, eating beautiful home-grown and home-cooked food with friends. Oh, and with some of that Portuguese wine many of us have also been blessed to discover.
No complaints from this man then, when it comes to quality of life and delight in local culture, but … and yes there is a ‘big but’, as it were, of political and constitutional proportions that is clearly and progressively unsettling some, as each new month seems to bring a new change or challenge.
The uncertainty I speak of is being felt especially by those not yet fully seduced and satisfied by the softness of the culture, like me, but who are encountering the hardness of the law, or what might soon become set in legislative stone.
By way of a slight deviation from the main point – as in, is it still worth the ‘price of admission’, as I have seen some put it, as they weigh up the well-established pros against the seemingly increasing list of cons – may we foreigners ask something of the government, as they make their understandable and controversial case for higher quality immigration? In the face of raised standards, and longer and more elaborate processes for residency and citizenship, can we ask for higher standards of treatment and more professionalism?
I wrote some time ago about a certain Lonny McLaughlin, who on that occasion was keen to address the sense of self-defeating resignation he sensed in Portuguese culture. He returned to the national debate in this last week, as complaints against AIMA (the agency who will bear the brunt of immigration changes) were reported to have doubled, with a further challenge to the idea of what he calls “the story (of) ‘isso não é possível em Portugal’”.
More specifically, he said: “With all due respect and as an organizational and business consultant, the fundamental issue with AIMA (and many other agencies and businesses) is a lack of commitment to integrity and accountability. Nowhere do I hear the leadership or management taking ownership and responsibility for the failures of the system without blaming on someone or something else and systemic failure of people being trained to do what they said they would do by when they said they would do it.”
Who could disagree with this assessment? I know I can’t.
“As a result,” he continues, “there can be no authentic commitment to excellence, personal pride and accomplishment. In the absence of leadership and accountability, agencies and businesses live in a swamp of overwhelm and victimhood, constantly blaming the circumstances for the lack of workability.
“This is not complicated. Integrity requires the willingness to be responsible as well as the personal pride in being held to account for a standard of performance that many other countries, agencies and businesses flourish in. Until integrity and responsibility become a national concern, until there is real leadership, Portugal and the citizens of this amazing country will continue to be stuck in the story “isso não é possível em Portugal”. Without integrity, nothing works,” he concluded.
I’m with Lonny, daring to share his thoughts from his beloved Porto, who on the one hand delights in the pleasure of this “amazing country”, and on the other sees a possibility, perhaps a necessity, for bureaucratic excellence, especially when more is now being asked of us incomers. In this land of extraordinary innovation and brilliantly enabling technology, when the will is present (see Multibanco, Via Verde and, dare I say it, Finanças, with its lightning-speed ability to collect taxes?), why can’t its migration services also now rise to the, to this, great occasion? It must, mustn’t it?
Don’t worry, Toto. This is still Portugal, where the yellow bricks are green and red calçadas. And for me, there’s no place like the home I have been able to create here. In considering Portugal, you might now be thinking twice. But don’t overthink it, because as the Tin Man said: “Brains do not make one happy.”
“All you need is confidence in yourself,” said the Wizard to the Lion. “There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.” Words any would-be migrant might want to bear in mind, as might Portugal itself, as we all face an uncertain future together.
For sure, we will all need a good balance of brain, heart and courage to face the changes that are coming here, as they are the world over.
