Portuguese Housing Protests Spark Clashes and New Landlord Laws

Thousands of students and professionals have established encampments and held daily demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto since October 14 to protest a severe national housing crisis. Protesters cite a lack of affordable housing and house prices in Lisbon that have risen up to 186% since 2015, attributing the surge to short-term tourist rentals and the deregulation of the housing market following a 2011 bailout.

Luís Montenegro, the Prime Minister of Portugal, has dismissed the movement as "selfish" and a "foreign import." While other European countries have implemented renter protections, the Portuguese government is introducing legislation to increase landlord powers regarding evictions and rent hikes. Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas has focused on the demonstrations' negative impact on local commerce and the cost of cleaning graffiti.

Police responses to the unrest have resulted in 99 arrests and more than 160 injuries. Amnesty International and over 200 lawyers have accused authorities of using excessive force, reporting instances of beatings that caused physical harm and hospitalizations.