The President of the Parliament has given political parties 24 hours to reach a consensus on holding an urgent debate regarding housing and recent police operations. Parliamentary rules require unanimous consent from all parties to alter the already-scheduled budget discussion calendar for the week of 2 November to 6 November 2026.
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The parliamentary opposition collectively overruled the President of the Parliament, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, to schedule an immediate urgent debate on the housing crisis. The move was initiated by the party Livre after its initial requests for a debate were rejected for failing to meet procedural rules.
The political party Livre has requested an urgent parliamentary debate for Wednesday, 21 October, on the topic of housing, proposing the creation of a 'National Housing Service' and other measures such as expanding the Porta 65 rental aid program. While the debate is scheduled for the parliamentary session, it remains a proposal for discussion rather than a new law or implemented policy.
The President has called individual meetings with party leaders for 29 October and scheduled a Council of State meeting on social cohesion for 2 November. He is pressing political parties to agree on both urgent measures and long-term housing policies, with negotiations expected to take place following the upcoming parliamentary debate on the State Budget.