Portugal President demands action on housing crisis

The President has asked parliamentary parties to individual meetings on 29 October, followed by a meeting of the Council of State on 2 November at Belém Palace, where social cohesion will be the main topic of discussion.

This announcement comes as thousands of people continue to voice their frustration over the cost of housing, with many struggling to afford somewhere to live.

Seguro has repeatedly warned that Portugal cannot rely on long-term housing reforms alone. He believes immediate measures are also needed to help families feeling the pressure.

The timing of the announcement is particularly interesting.

Just hours before the Council of State meeting was announced, Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento told Parliament that the government had already done practically everything it could to address the housing crisis, while acknowledging that the problem would take time to resolve.

The President appears determined to keep the issue firmly on the political agenda.

He is calling for cooperation between the government and opposition parties, arguing that any meaningful progress will require contributions from across the political spectrum.

The meetings also come at an important moment for Portugal’s finances, with Parliament scheduled to vote on the 2027 State Budget in principle on 28 October.

Housing is only one part of Seguro’s wider concerns about social cohesion, which also include growing inequality and the differences in living conditions between regions.

The Council of State meeting will be his second since taking office in March.

Whether these discussions lead to new housing measures remains to be seen, but the President is making it clear that he wants the issue treated as a priority.