Police clear new Lisbon housing protest camp after thousands rally
Police arrested 13 people and seized 99 tents as clashes over Portugal’s housing crisis left dozens injured, officials and activists said.
- Early Sunday, riot police dismantled housing protest encampments in Lisbon's Rossio Square and Porto's Dom Joao I Square, arresting 13 people and leaving dozens injured following Saturday's marches.
- Protesters demand the minority centre-right government scrap a rental bill facilitating easier evictions and removing rent caps, citing a nationwide shortage of 300,000 homes and house prices that have doubled since 2017.
- Officers used shields and batons to disperse demonstrators, with police describing the operation as "proportionate," while housing campaign group Casa para Viver reported 60 people were injured, alleging excessive force.
- Prime Minister Luis Montenegro ruled out withdrawing the bill on Thursday but remains open to amendments; spokesperson Rita Silva vowed that "the demonstrations will continue" despite the hardening police stance.
- Mirroring housing unrest across Europe, protesters have taken inspiration from movements in Spain, while lawyer Ricardo Sa Fernandes plans to file criminal complaints against the interior minister and police chief for abuse of power.
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147 Articles
Montenegro's Prime Minister has insisted on his will to support the opposition in order to approve the reform plan that would speed up evictions of tenants - The withdrawal of this plan is one of the activists' main demands
Portugal: Housing protesters return to Lisbon square after court ruling
Housing protesters have returned to Lisbon's historic Rossio Square, setting up around 100 tents following a court ruling. The demonstration comes as Portugal's government faces growing pressure over housing.
Police raids on housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto leave more than 30 demonstrators injured
Portuguese police cleared housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto before dawn, arresting 13 people and injuring more than 30 demonstrators amid escalating opposition to government housing reforms.
Manifestation for housing in Portugal involves violence; they report arrests and violence by the police.
Protesters carrying red carnations, the symbol of Portugal, 1974 revolution, accused police of 'dictatorship', tactics as officers broke up housing camps in Lisbon and Porto.
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