Protests against the housing crisis in Portugal: 55 arrested and two injured in clashes with police

Thousands of people took to the streets across Portugal on Tuesday evening, calling for action to address the housing crisis and halt rising property prices.

Protests were held mainly in Lisbon and Porto, in the north of the country. Activists opposed authorities’ attempts to dismantle the camps they had set up.

In the early hours of Tuesday, police moved in to break up the camps and removed 228 tents. According to authorities, the operation in Lisbon ended with 55 arrests and two people injured.

At Rossio Square in the center of the capital, protesters linked arms to prevent police from moving in. Clashes between them and law enforcement began after the situation escalated.

Following the operation, activists returned to the square and voted by a show of hands to rebuild the camp and continue their protest.

“Lisbon is not for sale” and “They forced me into the street to shout” read some of the signs. Demonstrators are calling for concrete measures to address the difficulties people face in finding housing.

Portugal’s police defended the operation, saying the use of force was justified and proportionate because some protesters disobeyed orders to leave. The Interior Ministry praised officers’ professionalism and said dialogue remained a priority until the last moment.

Meanwhile, Portugal’s president, António José Seguro, called for a broad agreement among political parties to adopt long-term solutions to the housing crisis.

The initiative aims to highlight the ongoing rise in housing prices, which is making it increasingly difficult for people to find a place to live.

Some activists, inspired by the camps set up in Spain, including one in Madrid’s famous Puerta del Sol square, want to coordinate the movement across the Iberian Peninsula. Their aim is to address the housing crisis as a shared regional issue.