Europe is ablaze: protests over the wage and housing crisis reach Portugal

 Thousands of protesters gathered on the streets of Lisbon, mobilized by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP), to demand a broad-based increase in wages and pensions.

 The demonstration, which took place between Cais do Sodré and the central Rossio square, also saw parallel actions in key cities such as Porto and Coimbra, a forceful expression of opposition to the economic policies implemented by the government of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

 Throughout the day, CGTP Secretary-General Tiago Oliveira lashed out at the draft General State Budget for 2027, arguing that the legislative proposal harms the working class while benefiting large economic groups.

 The trade union federation demanded a 15% wage increase, an increase in the national minimum wage to 1,100 euros, and a substantial strengthening of public healthcare, while also calling for another massive march on Parliament for November 24, the date scheduled for the final budget vote.

The protest also coincided with a parallel mobilization in support of the right to housing, during which some participants began setting up tents in Rossio Square itself, echoing the encampments recently established in Porto.