Legal experts debate regional autonomy and protest rights in Portugal

During a colloquium at the University of the Azores, legal expert Paulo Linhares Dias criticized the Constitutional Court's restrictive interpretations regarding the legislative powers of Portugal's Autonomous Regions. Linhares Dias argued that jurisprudence should respect the powers established in the Constitution and Political-Administrative Statutes, specifically noting controversial rulings concerning maritime management and geological resource exploitation.

As an alternative to a proposal for regional parliaments to appoint two judges each, Linhares Dias suggested appointing a single judge to represent both Autonomous Regions to avoid disproportionate representation. He called for a clarifying revision of the legal framework to prevent interpretations that undermine regional authority.

Separately, constitutional law professor Tiago Duarte addressed the legality of police actions during housing crisis protests. Duarte stated that while the right to protest is a fundamental right, it is not absolute and must be balanced with other rights, such as public peace and the use of public spaces. He maintained that police enforcement regarding the duration and location of protests does not violate the essential content of the right to manifest.