After rent-cap march, police move to clear Lisbon housing protest camp amid violence
Police clear Lisbon camp
Officers carrying shields and accompanied by police dogs entered the camp at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday. Hundreds of people had gathered around more than 50 tents in Rossio Square, which protesters had set up after a march through central Lisbon the day before.
Police commander Iuri Rodrigues had warned the crowd three times that the tents would be removed if they were not taken down. He also cautioned that people who resisted could face disobedience charges. During the operation, officers used shields and baton charges to disperse the crowd. Police also dismantled a smaller tent camp in Dom Joao I Square in Porto.
Housing bill fuels protests
The demonstrations oppose a bill backed by the minority centre-right government. It would make evictions easier and end rent caps for new leases. The proposal passed its first parliamentary reading after the far-right Chega party abstained. Protesters are calling on the government to abandon it, while a final vote is expected in the coming weeks.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said Thursday he would not withdraw the bill, but was willing to consider amendments. He said parties “have to move closer,” while maintaining that the government’s programme remained its main course of action.
Opposition voices concerns
Socialist Party leader Jose Luis Carneiro called on the government Saturday to negotiate with opposition parties and protesters. He warned against “arrogantly imposing its views, sometimes even with authoritarian overtones”.
Earlier, Socialist lawmaker Pedro Delgado Alves said the scene at Rossio Square had been peaceful. He said there was no justification for force or baton charges, referring to similar police tactics the previous week. Police had faced criticism for using batons and arresting dozens during the clearance of tent camps in the same squares a week earlier.
Rising costs drive unrest
Portugal is experiencing one of Europe’s worst housing crises, with young people among those most affected. Since 2017, house prices have more than doubled, while rents on new leases have nearly doubled.
Protests over rising housing costs have grown in recent weeks. Similar unrest has also spread across Spain, France, Germany and other parts of Europe.
Key points
- Police dispersed hundreds of people protecting a camp of more than 50 tents in Lisbon.
- The contested bill would ease evictions and remove rent caps on new leases.
- Montenegro ruled out withdrawing the proposal but said amendments remained possible.
- Portuguese house prices have more than doubled since 2017, and new-lease rents have nearly doubled.