The President of the Republic believed that the demonstrations that took place this Saturday across the country against the housing crisis were “important, for a good cause and a sign that democracy is alive.”

“In democracy, demonstrating is a fundamental right (…), it is a sign that democracy is alive,” declared Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa upon arrival at the XXVIth Congress of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) which took place in Seixal , in the Setúbal district.

According to the head of state, these demonstrations show that people want to face the housing problem and speed up the processes to solve it.

The important thing is that, whether you agree or disagree, the demonstrations are taking place peacefully, he said.

On this day, the platforms Casa para Viver and ‘Their Time to Pay’ promote a series of demonstrations for the right to housing and climate justice.

“We fight for the right to housing and to stay in spaces, for a dignified life for all people and for action to stop the climate crisis. These are two battles against capital, which puts speculation and profit above life,” reads based on the information spread by both platforms.

The protests started this morning in Barreiro, Beja, Évora, Portalegre and Tavira.

In the afternoon, in addition to Lisbon, demonstrations took place in Porto, Aveiro, Braga, Coimbra, Covilhã, Guimarães, Lagos, Leiria, Portimão, Viseu, Samora Correia and Alcácer do Sal.

Established “More housing”

The President of the Republic announced the promulgation of the More Housing package, saying that he “prefers everything, even if briefly, to nothing.”

‘I proclaimed it because the General Assembly [da República] confirmed and I had eight days to proclaim, that is why I already promulgated the law called More Housing before eight days,” revealed Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the entrance of the XXVIth Congress of the National Association of Portuguese Municipalities (ANMP) that took place in Seixal, in the Setúbal district.

That is why, I add, the government of António Costa now has the necessary laws,

“I hope things go well, the laws are quickly regulated and progress is made on what is an important goal for the end of the legislature,” he stressed.