Thousands return to Lisbon and Porto squares after housing protest camps cleared
Thousands of protesters returned to central squares in Lisbon and Porto after police cleared their camps before dawn and arrested 55 people, later released pending a court appearance. They are demanding the centre-right government withdraw a bill that would ease evictions and end rent caps on new leases; it has passed its first parliamentary reading.
Bottom line — Organisers said more than 1,000 people gathered at each square, and Lisbon protesters voted to rebuild their camp.
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Activists had occupied Lisbon’s Rossio Square since Saturday, pitching around 200 tents; the Porto camp had been in place for about 10 days, Reuters reported.
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Police said the camps were illegal and launched coordinated operations shortly before 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
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Camp spokesperson Carla Valadao called the Lisbon operation “very aggressive”; police superintendent Sergio Soares described it as calm and proportionate, Reuters reported.
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According to DW and Reuters, property purchase prices in Portugal have more than doubled since 2017, while rents for new leases have nearly doubled.
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Protesters say the housing squeeze is especially acute in major cities, where opposition has also focused on tourism and digital nomads, DW reported.