Acampada de Lisboa Seeks Government Meeting and Seguro's Intervention

The Acampada de Lisboa movement has requested the intervention of Portuguese President António José Seguro to meet with the Government before approving the new rental law. In a letter, seen by Lusa, the movement urged Seguro to intercede with the Prime Minister to receive representatives of the housing movements. This request comes ahead of a meeting between Seguro and the movement's representatives at the Palácio de Belém on Friday. The movement is pushing for a reversal of the current rental law.

The Acampada de Lisboa movement held a popular assembly at Parque das Nações, which ended at 22:45, to discuss and present their demands to be delivered to Seguro. According to Lou Loução, a member of the movement, the assembly was attended by a large number of people. On Friday, after meeting with Seguro, the movement will prepare for a manifestation on Saturday promoted by the Plataforma Casa para Viver. An assembly will also be held at largo de São Domingos, near Rossio square, on Friday at 19:00.

In their letter to Seguro, the Acampada de Lisboa movement presented four key points they consider essential to their housing demands. The first point calls for the reversal of the rental law, requesting that Seguro publicly disclose the criteria for evaluating the law. The movement also asked Seguro to hear from tenants, residents, and popular assemblies across the country before making a decision. Furthermore, they requested that Seguro not promulgate norms that facilitate evictions without alternative housing.

The second point raised by the movement concerns rent caps, urging Seguro to direct a message to the Assembleia da República about fulfilling the Constitution's article 65.3. This article mandates the State to adopt a policy that establishes a rental system compatible with family income. The movement believes this requires legally fixed rent caps. Additionally, they emphasized the need for Seguro to address this issue publicly.

The Acampada de Lisboa movement's third point focuses on ending the use of public heritage for speculation and transforming it into public or cooperative housing. They requested that Seguro publicly ask the Government to publish an inventory of public heritage with housing potential, including a list of 477 properties and those being sold. The movement also urged Seguro to defend the use of this heritage for public or cooperative housing, not for sale.

The movement's fourth point calls for political protection for all participants in meetings and assemblies, particularly immigrants. They reported that some immigrants fear participating in peaceful assemblies or manifestations might affect their residence permit applications. In response, the Casa Civil stated on November 5 that the right to manifestation should be exercised without fear or constraint by all citizens. The Acampada de Lisboa movement asked Seguro to publicly confirm this and inquire about guarantees that peaceful participation will not be recorded or used in foreign nationals' processes.

The ongoing protests against the housing crisis in Portugal began in Porto on October 10 and have since spread to Lisbon and other cities. The Acampada de Lisboa movement, along with other housing movements, continues to push for changes to the current rental law and housing policies. Their efforts have been supported by various groups and individuals, including Seguro, who has agreed to meet with them to discuss their demands. According to RecordTV Cabo Verde and Lusa, the movement's efforts have brought attention to the housing crisis in Portugal.

Key points

• The Acampada de Lisboa movement requests Seguro's intervention to meet with the Government before approving the new rental law.
• The movement presented four key points to Seguro, including the reversal of the rental law and rent caps.
• The movement also called for political protection for all participants in meetings and assemblies, particularly immigrants.