Thousands Rally in Lisbon Squares to Demand Scrap of Controversial Rental Bill
Thousands rally in Lisbon’s main squares, urging Portugal’s centre‑right government to drop a contentious rental bill amid a deepening housing crisis.
POLICY WIRE — Lisbon, Portugal — Thousands of housing activists gathered in a central square on Saturday, intensifying demands that the minority centre‑right administration abandon a controversial rental legislation.
Demonstrators also converged on a historic plaza in Porto, echoing the Lisbon turnout and signalling that the movement remains energized after police dismantled protest camps earlier in the week.
Authorities had cleared makeshift encampments with police dogs and batons, detaining 25 participants in a series of raids that heightened public anger.
The contested rental bill, promoted as a rent‑control measure, is criticised for potentially limiting supply and driving up prices, prompting protesters to call for its immediate repeal.
Activists timed their actions to coincide with parliamentary debate over the 2027 draft budget, noting that rent and property values have surged to near‑record levels across the country.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
