Housing protesters defy police orders to camp overnight in Lisbon and Porto

Hundreds of protesters remain camped overnight in Lisbon and Porto, defying police orders to disperse in ongoing housing protests. Demonstrators refused to leave and are sleeping in tents at Rossio station and Praça Dom João I. Police left the Porto square after negotiations failed to convince protesters to remove their tents and disband. Around 50 tents remain, with protesters maintaining a human cordon and wearing protective gear. In Lisbon, most police also withdrew, leaving a festive atmosphere. The government says it views the protests with concern, acknowledging the population has reason to demonstrate. The PCP accuses the government of worsening the housing crisis. International protests also occurred in France, Italy, Belgium, and Albania over cost of living and government policies.