[REVISION HISTORY]

Portuguese protests over cost of living and housing crisis

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2026-11-05 01:50 UTC → 2026-11-06 10:02 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Protests regarding the rising cost of living and housing rights have expanded across Portugal, including Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, Funchal, Faro, Braga, and Aveiro. The CGTP trade union and political groups like the PCP have organized demonstrations to protest a “brutal increase” in the prices of housing, fuel, and food, while demanding higher wages, improved pensions, and better public services. Data from the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation indicates housing prices rose 41.5% between 2020 and 2025, the highest increase among 18 EU nations studied, with an 81.9% surge since 2010. Tensions escalated following the government’s approval of a rental reform proposal, which received parliamentary support from the PSD, CDS-PP, and Iniciativa Liberal. Experts warn the law fails to address the crisis and instead leaves tenants more vulnerable by accelerating evictions and removing rent increase limits. ~~In Funchal, critics noted the postponement of the ‘Habitar Funchal’ affordable housing program to 2027.~~ Following police interventions to dismantle protest camps in Lisbon and Porto using batons, dogs, and tear gas, significant injuries and arrests were reported. ~~While the Public Security Police reported 11 injuries~~ In Lisbon, eighty-six protesters detained during ~~operations~~ police actions at ~~Rossio Square and Praça D. João I, organizers claimed as many as 37 people were injured.~~ housing rights camps face charges of disobedience. The ~~Judiciary Police are investigating vandalism at~~ Public Ministry is reviewing these cases, noting the ~~D. Pedro IV statue~~ possibility of archiving investigations after an Administrative Court ruled in ~~Lisbon.~~ favor of a protester, authorizing tent use in Rossio until November 24. Prosecutors are also evaluating the proportionality of police interventions. Meanwhile, the ~~United States Embassy~~ Ombudsman has requested urgent information from the Public Security Police regarding operations in Lisbon ~~issued a security alert advising American citizens to exercise caution due to ongoing protests~~ and ~~confrontations. Support for the demonstrations has grown,~~ Porto to determine if they were compatible with ~~artists Beatriz Godinho and Gisela João publicly backing~~ the ~~movement. Godinho criticized the focus on protest methods rather than basic rights, while João highlighted the gap between the national minimum wage~~ rights to assembly and ~~high rental costs.~~ demonstration. In Porto, approximately 60 tents remain set up in Praça D. João I.

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