The Algarve em Resistência movement has called for the resignation of Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro following police interventions at housing protests in Lisbon and Porto during the early hours of Sunday, 25 October.
The Algarve-based group, which has organised several demonstrations calling for affordable housing in the region, has expressed its support for protesters who were injured or detained during the police operations.
Algarve group condemns police actions
In a statement reported by Sul Informação and the Lusa news agency, the movement strongly criticised the actions of the authorities, describing them as police repression against people demonstrating for their right to housing.
The incidents took place after thousands of people had joined demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto, protesting against rising housing costs and demanding better access to affordable homes.
Some protesters had set up tents in public squares as part of the demonstrations. Police subsequently ordered them to leave and remove the tents, but the instructions were not followed by all participants.
Officers eventually intervened to disperse the gatherings, using batons and other crowd-control measures.
The Algarve movement condemned the response, arguing that Portugal's housing difficulties should be treated as a social emergency rather than simply a public order issue.
Housing concerns in the Algarve
The group also highlighted the situation in the Algarve, where access to affordable housing has become a major concern for many residents.
Despite being one of Portugal's most popular tourist destinations, the region has faced increasing pressure on its housing market, making it difficult for some people who live and work locally to find homes within their budgets.
The movement believes that these problems are closely connected to the issues behind the demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto.
As part of its demands, Algarve em Resistência has called for Montenegro's resignation, an independent investigation into the police interventions and the dismissal of proceedings against those detained.
The group also wants stronger protection for the right to demonstrate and immediate measures to improve access to affordable housing.
According to Lusa, police reported 31 arrests for disobedience following the operations on Sunday. The number of people injured has been disputed, with protesters reporting significantly higher figures than those initially released by the authorities.
The Lisbon protest organisers claimed that more than 20 people were taken to Hospital de São José, while others received medical assistance at the demonstration site.
The PSP maintained that protesters had failed to comply with orders to disperse. The circumstances and proportionality of the police response have since become part of a wider public debate.
The criticism has not been limited to Algarve em Resistência.
SOS Racismo also condemned the police interventions and called for the resignation of the Minister of Internal Administration. The organisation demanded an investigation into the actions of the PSP and clarification of who authorised the operations.
The demonstrations are part of a wider movement calling for changes to Portugal's housing policies, including more public housing, protection against evictions without alternative accommodation and measures to make rents more affordable.
Protests reach Faro
In a further development, more than 100 people gathered in Faro on Sunday afternoon, 25 October, to demonstrate against the police interventions in Lisbon and Porto.
The gathering took place in Praça da Liberdade, outside the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Algarve), and was organised by Algarve em Resistência.
Participants criticised the actions of the authorities and expressed support for those involved in the housing protests in Portugal's two largest cities.
The demonstration followed another gathering in Faro earlier in the week, when around 60 people protested against high housing costs and showed solidarity with the Lisbon and Porto movements.
The Algarve group has made clear that it intends to continue organising demonstrations and supporting people affected by the police operations.
For Algarve em Resistência, the events in Lisbon and Porto are not separate from the housing problems experienced in southern Portugal. The movement argues that affordable housing is a national issue that requires urgent political action.
With demonstrations continuing in different parts of the country, housing remains one of the central issues bringing people onto Portugal's streets.