Portugal housing protesters hail court win, but ruling limits tents to one activist

Euronews Europe
21 followers
Nov 3, 2026
On Monday, after a court ruled she could pitch her tent,
Renata Cambra, who has led the housing
protests in Portugal, inspired fellow protesters,
but it wasn't enough to start a new camp.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Through legal action, Renata Cambra secured a court ruling,
stating that the tent should not be considered
an illegal occupation of public space.
But rather an instrumental and symbolic element of the protest,
the court also found that the 12.30am limit on holding demonstrations
is not absolute or automatic, allowing Renata Cambra
to keep a tent overnight in Rossio Square, in Lisbon.
The Acampada de Lisboa movement considers
this ruling a victory for the right to protest.
The PSP,
represented by just
three officers
wearing carnations
on their chests,
...also appeared to be absent from Rossio last night,
following a violent early morning on Sunday,
which once again saw police charges in Lisbon and Porto.
A new protest was then approved by a vote in the Popular Assembly,
scheduled for tonight,
despite the Christmas market set-up being planned for this Tuesday.
The protesters say they will not leave the square,
and have instead urged Lisbon's mayor,
Carlos Moedas, to move the market elsewhere.
The protesters also approved holding
a meeting with the President of the Republic,
Antonio José Seguro, after
the President's civil office showed willingness to receive
representatives of the encampments.
No date has yet been set for the meeting.
