The PS leader, José Luís Carneiro, stated that while he understands housing-related protests, he emphasizes the need to maintain public order. He highlighted that his party's proposals for the housing sector include a new land policy, fiscal incentives, and increased public construction.
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Read today’s briefingThe European Commission stated that maintenance of public order is a national responsibility and declined to comment on police actions during recent housing protests in Portugal. Meanwhile, a Lisbon Administrative Court ruling on Sunday, 1 November, allowed a protester to keep a tent in Rossio until 24 November 2026, though the Ministry of Internal Affairs argues this ruling is specific to one individual and does not create a general right to camp in public spaces.
The opposition Socialist Party (PS) in Gaia has proposed three housing measures to be discussed at the municipal council meeting on Tuesday, 2026-10-06: the immediate reinstatement of a rental support program for 450 families (with plans to reach 900 by 2027), a requirement for social housing allocations to be approved in public council meetings, and the creation of a Local Housing Council. The proposed rental support targets four specific groups: youth up to 35, single-parent families, seniors over 65, and people with disabilities.
The JSD, the youth branch of the PSD party, is calling for the current public housing guarantee scheme to be extended beyond 2026 and for it to be expanded to cover the construction of a first home. They are also advocating for the permanent maintenance of IMT (Property Transfer Tax) and Stamp Duty exemptions for young people, arguing that these measures help overcome the hurdle of providing capital for home loan down payments.