Portugal's President urges lawful housing protests amid police clashes in Porto

During a visit to Ljubljana for the inaugural Grupo de Arraiolos gathering, President António José Seguro expressed empathy for those demanding better housing while stressing that demonstrations must obey the law, citing the Constitution's dual guarantee of free speech and legal obedience. He declined to comment on remarks made by other senior officials, instead urging all political actors to seek inter-party consensus to address Portugal's housing crisis.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, speaking in Brussels, dismissed claims of national turbulence and praised police restraint, urging protesters not to act selfishly. Meanwhile, in Porto, police carried out a night-time operation against the Movimento pela Habitação, resulting in 37 injuries, two of them severe, including a person with a disability, and prompting the removal of newly erected tents after the mayor pledged a strict stance against further encampments. The government highlighted the need for robust, cross-party solutions to the housing problem while calling for lawful expression of dissent.