"Golden visas" of Portugal were compared with apartheid

"Golden visas" of Portugal were compared with apartheid

Bloomberg has published an article about the "golden visa" of Portugal, in which the latter was compared with apartheid (racial segregation policy), writes ee24.com.

President of the Immigrant Solidarity Association Timoteo Macedo noted that "golden visa" was the worst apartheid in modern history. They are available only to first-class immigrants, while the poor but hard-working foreigners who arrive to Europe on boats risking with their lives are ignored by the government. 

Program of "golden visas" doesnt contribute to housing market recovery. Homes that stay unsold are much cheaper than half a million euros, says Jose Brandao de Brito, chief economist at Banco Comercial Portugues SA in Lisbon. 

Recall that since the beginning of the program, "golden residence permit" was granted for 1,161 people. In total, those buyers (mostly Chinese) have invested nearly €700 million.