Lisbon:Thousands of people took to the streets in Portugal on Saturday to protest against rising living costs, demanding higher wages, better pensions, and affordable housing. The demonstrations were organized by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) union and took place in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, in Lisbon, protesters started their march from Cais do Sodre heading towards Rossio Square. The march was led by CGTP Secretary-General Tiago Oliveira, with union members holding banners calling for increased wages. Protesters voiced their frustrations over low pay and rising rent prices, carrying signs advocating for housing policies. A housing protest encampment was scheduled to commence at Rossio at 5 pm.

In Porto, several thousand demonstrators walked from Praca da Batalha to Praca D. Joao I, echoing demands for improved wages, pensions, and public services. Among them were about 100 young housing activists, who carried placards and a tent symbolizing their campaign. Their arrival at the square was met with applause as the crowd extended onto nearby sidewalks. Housing movement spokesperson Cristiana Leal stated that the mobilization would continue until living conditions showed improvement. A public assembly was also planned at the square for 7 pm.

These protests followed a police operation that dismantled a housing protest encampment in Porto on Thursday. Socialist Party leader Jose Luis Carneiro expressed support for the demonstrators, emphasizing the need for protests to be conducted responsibly. He urged security forces to ensure that any use of force was appropriate and proportionate and called for clarification regarding Thursday's police intervention, which is under review by the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration.