CGTP expects large protests in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra against rising living costs

Portugal's largest trade union federation, CGTP, expects Saturday's demonstrations in Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra against the rising cost of living to be a "great moment of struggle" and warns political parties it will hold accountable those who allow current hardships to continue. CGTP Secretary-General Tiago Oliveira stated the national protest aims to give workers, pensioners, and young people a voice against the "brutal increase" in housing, fuel, and food prices, as well as deteriorating public services. The decentralized marches, under the slogan "More salary, better pensions and public services | Against the rise in the cost of living | A new direction for Portugal!", will start at 10:30 in Porto and Coimbra and at 14:30 in Lisbon, with strike notices issued to facilitate participation. Oliveira also criticized the Socialist Party for announcing its voting position on the 2027 State Budget before seeing the proposal, saying the party must explain its stance to the Portuguese people. He emphasized that while parties try to sit on the fence, millions are paying a high price for current policies.