Thousands protest across Portugal over soaring rents and cost of living

People across Portugal are protesting, angry at soaring rents and the rising cost of living. Demonstrations are taking place in more than 30 cities. Protesters want more affordable housing, stronger tenant protections, and the government to scrap proposed changes to rental laws. Al Jazeera’s Rosie Birchard says thousands of people are on the streets of Lisbon and in cities around the country. Portugal is often described as having one of Europe’s worst housing crises. Rents and house prices have shot up in recent years, and the country has seen the biggest increase in the gap between incomes and house prices in the European Union. With government budget talks coming up, protesters want the government to scrap proposals that could make it easier for some landlords to evict tenants. The government says it is open to compromise and to speaking with protesters, but they are not convinced. Al Jazeera’s Rosie Birchard reports from Lisbon. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://x.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Portugal #Lisbon #HousingCrisis #CostOfLiving #AlJazeeraEnglish