The draft resolution - without the force of law - presented by PSD and CDS-PP, which recommends that the Government create the "Defender Portugal" program, was approved with votes in favour from the authors and IL, abstentions from PS and Chega, and votes against from Livre, PCP, BE, JPP, and PAN.

Mental health program

The resolution that asks the executive to create a program focused on mental health in the Armed Forces, named "Mente Forte" (Strong Mind), was approved with votes in favour from PSD, CDS-PP, Chega, IL, Livre, PAN, and JPP, abstentions from BE and PS, and opposition only from PCP.

The two draft resolutions presented by the government parties now go to the National Defence Committee for specialised consideration.

At the close of the debate on these proposals, Social Democratic MP José Lago Gonçalves argued that the proposals at stake are "very important" for the country and considered that the Portuguese know that a military career is valued, underlining that the "largest investment ever" is being made in the area of ​​defence.

The PSD member stated that there is a generation of Portuguese who should have the opportunity to serve in the Armed Forces, regardless of their origin, and that the project to attract young people will allow those who advance and enlist to pursue a more informed career.

Earlier, also from the PSD, MP Liliana Fidalgo argued that the proposal to value mental health "should not be read as a weakening of the military condition," but rather its reinforcement.

Flexible solutions

Socialist Hugo Oliveira argued that Portugal, like other European countries, should seek "more flexible solutions capable of bringing young people closer to the Armed Forces without diminishing the demands of the military institution," but criticised the PSD and CDS-PP for "two isolated measures that seem more like political 'marketing' exercises."

Chega MP Nuno Simões de Melo pointed out the absence of government members in this debate, stating that it demonstrates the importance the executive gives to the issue of defence or to the parties that support it, and criticised the "Defend Portugal" proposal, questioning what the status of young people who join will be.

"Are they excursionists? Scouts on steroids? Civil defence of the territory, framed by military personnel, during forest surveillance periods? We don't know. We really have many doubts," he said.

Regarding the proposals, CDS-PP MP João Almeida admitted that the incentives could be different and should be discussed, but stressed that this is an effort to prevent generations from remaining "divorced from national defence" and to value the mental health of military personnel.

Miguel Rangel, from IL, argued that "an awareness program, however good it may be, is useless if it is not accompanied by real conditions of attractiveness and retention."

On the left, PCP MP Alfredo Maia said that AD's intention is to transform military units into "theme parks for young people," and Patrícia Gonçalves, from Livre, considered the proposal on youth volunteering "clearly out of place."

Fabian Figueiredo, the sole MP from BE, said that the "Defend Portugal" proposal can be summarised as "do the three weeks and get your [driving] license," lamenting that this is what the government parties have to propose at a time when Portugal and Europe are experiencing.

Inês de Sousa Real, from PAN, considered that this is a 'marketing' action by the Government, and Filipe Sousa, the sole deputy of JPP, defended the importance of recovering "the connection between young people and service to the country, not through imposition, but through responsibility and pride in serving Portugal".

Who is the program for?

The proposed "Defender Portugal" program is aimed at young Portuguese people aged 18 to 23, with the objective of providing "the civic, physical and military training of young citizens and the strengthening of the link between civil society and National Defence".

In the other recommendation, it is suggested that the government approve a "unique, standardised and universal" National Mental Health Plan in the Armed Forces, which strengthens prevention programs for all members of the Armed Forces and their families.