Several housing rights organizations are joining unions affiliated with the CGTP confederation in protests across Portugal this Saturday, at a time when a wave of protests against the cost of living has swept Europe.
The protests are taking place under the slogan: “Higher wages, better pensions and public services. Against the rising cost of living. A new course for Portugal!”
Rallies are planned in Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon.
The cost of living crisis is affecting much of Europe, driven by rising prices, fuel costs and a lack of affordable housing. This has led thousands of citizens to take to the streets to speak out.
“Faced with the rising cost of living, housing and fuel, even a basic food basket has reached exorbitant prices,” a CGTP representative told SICN in Coimbra on Saturday morning.
In Porto, the march started at around 10:30 from Praça da Batalha square and is expected to end at Praça D. João I, where protests against the housing crisis have been taking place all week.
In the capital Lisbon, thousands of people are expected to participate in the march planned for 14:30 p.m., from Cais do Sodré to Rossio.
The protests come at a time when demonstrations against the cost of living in France this Saturday have been accompanied by clashes between protesters and riot police.