Portugal party pushes for recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara

Portugal’s far-right Chega party has introduced a draft resolution urging the government to formally recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and to cut all ties with the Polisario Front, calling instead for the group to lay down arms and engage in direct negotiations with Rabat.

The resolution, filed under No. 123-1 and reviewed Tuesday by the Portuguese Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, argues that Portugal’s current stance on the conflict remains “ambiguous.” Lawmakers noted that while Lisbon voices support for self-determination and UN-led negotiations, it also acknowledges Morocco’s autonomy plan as a potential solution.

“The double stance on Morocco’s top foreign policy priority, namely resolving the Sahara issue, represents an unjustified obstacle to strengthening Portuguese-Moroccan friendship,” Chega lawmakers wrote.

Chega pointed to diplomatic tensions following Morocco’s devastating earthquake in September 2023, when Rabat declined Lisbon’s offer of rescue assistance, a move widely interpreted as a protest against Portugal’s unclear position.

The party also highlighted France’s decision in August 2024 to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the territory, following similar moves by Spain, the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom in recent years.

“Morocco is more than just a neighbor to Portugal. It is a historic friend and a strategic partner,” the resolution stated. It calls on the government to immediately recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara and to cease all relations with the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, which maintains a representative in Lisbon.

During committee discussions, Chega lawmaker Diogo Pacheco de Amorim said the proposal “defends Portugal’s permanent interests with Morocco, our historic friend,” stressing that the country cannot afford to maintain an ambiguous approach.

The draft is expected to be put to a full parliamentary vote in the coming weeks.

For its part, Portugal’s government has recently expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy plan. In a joint declaration adopted after a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries in Lisbon last July, Portugal described the plan as the “most serious, credible, and realistic” basis for resolving the conflict, while underscoring the need for a “political, realistic, practical, and lasting solution based on compromise.”