The Circus

There’s a peculiar alchemy in the way complex social issues are transformed into spectacles—a political circus, where nuance is abandoned in favour of hyperbole and division. In Portugal, two pressing topics, the right to health care for non-residents and immigration, have been dragged into the centre ring. Both demand careful thought, balanced policy, and compassion. Yet increasingly, they are being reduced to simplistic narratives spun for political and personal gain.

Take the debate over non-residents accessing Portugal’s National Healthcare Service, the SNS. The SNS should be a source of immense pride for the Portuguese people, a symbol of our national commitment to equity and care for all. Its challenges, however, are undeniable: staff shortages, long waiting times, and funding gaps have placed it under strain.

Against this backdrop, the spectre of “health tourism” has emerged as an easy target for polarisation. On one side, there is fear that non-residents will exploit the system and deplete its resources. On the other, the moral imperative of universal care is invoked, as if it were a question of all or nothing.

What is missing here, as always, is balance.

No one, not even the most naive, can seriously argue that non-residents should have unfettered access to chronic, routine, or elective treatments without safeguards.

Emergency care, as a fundamental human right, must remain universally available, as I am sure, deep down, all but the true sociopaths will agree.

For non-emergency care, however, practical solutions exist: proof of insurance, reciprocal agreements with other nations, or upfront payments.

These approaches protect the SNS without compromising its values. Practical though they are, moderation rarely fits the circus narrative, where extremes rule and nuance is unwelcome.

A similar dynamic can be seen in the discourse around immigration.

Increasingly, immigration is framed as a security issue—and not without reason. Portugal, like any nation, must manage its borders, protect its citizens, and address the risks of human trafficking or organised crime. These are real challenges, and it would be naive to ignore them.

On the other hand, when the conversation polarises immigration into a choice between a dire security threat or an unqualified good, the result is a false and harmful binary.

The truth is more complex. It always is.

While there are risks tied to immigration, the contributions of immigrants to Portugal’s economy, culture, and demographic sustainability are equally undeniable.

With balanced policies that prioritise integration and oversight, we can address security concerns while embracing the opportunities immigration presents.

Yet instead of fostering this middle ground, politicians and commentators often capitalise on fear, exaggerating threats to stoke anxieties and draw attention.

Meanwhile, the press amplifies this polarising rhetoric, prioritising sensationalism over thoughtful discourse. It’s not a conversation—it’s a performance, designed to entertain and divide.

This is the circus at work.

It thrives on fear and division, turning every challenge into an existential crisis and every solution into a battleground.

The Portuguese people, however, are not as easily fooled. By stepping back and thinking critically, we can see through the spectacle. Health care, immigration, and security are not black-and-white issues. They require thoughtful, informed decisions that reflect our values—fairness, compassion, and sustainability.

The challenges facing the SNS, for example, are not insurmountable. Emergency care must remain universal and accessible, but systems to recover costs from non-residents, whether through private insurance, reciprocal agreements, or upfront payments, can protect the system without abandoning its core principles.

Likewise, immigration is not an existential threat. Security concerns must be addressed, but immigration also brings undeniable benefits. Immigrants contribute to Portugal’s economy, help mitigate demographic challenges, and enrich our society. With proper policies that strike a balance between integration and oversight, we can manage immigration in a way that strengthens both our security and our commitment to human dignity.

These are not radical ideas; they are sensible, humane solutions.

The circus, of course, will not dismantle itself. Fear and division are lucrative, drawing clicks, headlines, and votes.

But we, as a nation, have a choice.

We can refuse to be entertained by these polarising narratives.

We can demand better—better from our politicians, who owe us thoughtful, constructive leadership; better from the press, which has a duty to inform rather than inflame; and better for Portugal, a country built on balance, pragmatism, and humanity.

We will not allow this circus to continue.

We will not fall for the spectacle of empty rhetoric and contrived division.

Instead, we will focus on what truly matters: building a society that is fair, secure, and equitable for everyone.