Thousands Protest Rental Bill in Lisbon

Thousands of housing protesters gathered in Rossio Square in central Lisbon on Saturday to demand that the minority centre-right government scrap a controversial rental bill. The proposed legislation would end rent caps on new leases and simplify the eviction process, which demonstrators argue will worsen a housing crisis where prices and rents have nearly doubled since 2017.

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has ruled out scrapping the bill entirely, though he expressed openness to amendments before the final vote. The protests follow a period of intensified unrest, including a police crackdown on a tent camp in Rossio Square one week prior.

Opposition leaders and organizers have condemned the government's approach. Socialist Party leader Jose Luis Carneiro criticized the administration for "arrogantly imposing its views" and called for dialogue with opposition parties and protesters. The housing movement Casa para Viver, which organized the demonstrations, has indicated that protests will continue due to a perceived lack of government willingness to listen.