Police in Lisbon and Porto dismantled protest encampments early Tuesday morning that were established in opposition to rising housing costs, resulting in 55 arrests. Hours later, demonstrators returned to the central squares in both cities to continue their protests against a pending government bill on housing policy.
The demonstrations are focused on a bill passed in its first parliamentary reading that would change eviction processes and remove rent controls on new leases. Protesters are demanding the center-right government withdraw the legislation.
The initial encampments had been in place for several days. In Lisbon, activists had occupied Rossio Square since Saturday, setting up approximately 200 tents. In Porto, a similar protest camp was established in Dom Joao I Square about 10 days prior.
According to police officials, coordinated operations to clear the squares began shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday after protesters were informed the camps were illegal. Public Security Police Superintendent Sergio Soares described the eviction in Lisbon as “calm, proportionate and appropriate, with no police charge.”
However, a spokesperson for the Lisbon camp, Carla Valadao, described the police action as “very aggressive.” In Porto, demonstrators reportedly dismantled their own tents following police orders. All 55 individuals who were detained were later released and are scheduled for a court appearance on Wednesday.
By Tuesday afternoon, protesters had reassembled in both cities. Organizers reported that more than 1,000 people had gathered at both Rossio Square and Dom Joao I Square to re-establish the demonstrations.
Participants have cited the difficulty of affording housing in the country. “If people don’t feel at home, in every sense of the word, they can’t move forward with their lives…enough is enough,” Debora Miranda, a 41-year-old communications consultant, told Reuters at the Lisbon protest.
The protests take place amid significant increases in housing costs in Portugal. Reports indicate that real estate purchase prices have more than doubled since 2017, with rents for new leases rising at a similar rate. The increases are particularly pronounced in major urban areas. Jorge Paixao, a 19-year-old history student at the protest, called the situation “a societal crisis,” stating his generation needed “the ability to live with dignity.”
