Key facts
- Police dismantled over 100 tents pitched in Rossio Square.
- Protesters demanded the government scrap a bill to make evictions easier and end rent caps on new leases.
- The Bank of Portugal estimates a shortfall of 300,000 homes nationwide.
Portuguese police clear Lisbon housing protest camp, make arrests
IN SHORT
Portuguese police cleared a housing protest camp in Lisbon on Sunday, making arrests and reporting minor injuries. The demonstration highlighted Portugal's severe housing affordability crisis, with prices and rents soaring, disproportionately affecting young people.
Key Numbers
300000homes shortfall nationwide, per Bank of Portugal
100tents pitched in Rossio Square
2017year housing prices began to more than double
Who's Involved
Portuguese police
cleared a housing protest camp and made arrests
Vitor Gomes
a 21-year-old multimedia communications student and protester
Fabian Figueiredo
Left Bloc lawmaker who criticized the police action
↳ Why This Matters
Portugal is experiencing one of Europe's worst housing affordability crises, with prices and rents soaring, impacting young people and leading to widespread discontent. The police action against protesters highlights the government's response to growing social unrest over housing.