Thousands demonstrate outside Portuguese parliament over housing crisis and police violence

Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon on Tuesday evening, Euronews reported. The protest focused on the ongoing housing crisis and allegations of police violence during recent camp clearances. Demonstrators threw keys into the air, held cardboard houses, and carried red carnations during the gathering. [1][6]

Protesters sang the song É a nossa morada, chanted anti-fascist slogans, and held banners calling for housing rights, according to Euronews. The crowd also included singer Marisa Liz, who joined the gathering outside the parliament building. The president of Portugal called for dialogue regarding the issue while simultaneously defending the actions of the police. [1]

The demonstration followed recent police actions against housing activists. As FTMQ News reported earlier, police used batons to clear protest encampments set up in Lisbon and Porto, which resulted in several injuries and arrests. Activists had previously set up tents in places such as Rossio Square in Lisbon to oppose skyrocketing rents and housing prices. [1][11][12]

The protest in Portugal comes amid widespread public discontent over housing affordability across the region. In neighbouring Spain, a series of housing protests began in September 2026 after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid sparked public outcry, leading to organised protest camps in the Puerta del Sol square. [8]