Portuguese police dismantle Lisbon housing protest camp after mass rally

Portuguese police moved in to dismantle a housing protest encampment in central Lisbon after thousands gathered to oppose the government's proposed rental market reforms. The demonstrators had erected more than 50 tents in Rossio Square, one of the capital's most prominent public spaces, as part of their campaign against planned policy changes. The rally reflected growing public concern over housing affordability in Portugal, where rental prices have surged in recent years, pricing many residents out of the market. The protesters specifically called on the government to abandon plans that would ease eviction procedures and eliminate rent caps on newly leased properties. The police operation to clear the camp followed the large-scale demonstration, highlighting the tensions between housing advocacy groups and government housing policy initiatives. The incident underscores the contentious debate surrounding rental market liberalisation in Portugal, where housing costs have become an increasingly pressing social issue affecting residents across income levels.