Portugal Socialists urge PM to shelve rent law, warn of 'social fuse'

The leader of Portugal's Socialist Party (PS), José Luís Carneiro, called on Saturday for the Prime Minister to shelve the new rent law, which he described as a "social fuse" that harms young people, families, and the elderly. Carneiro made the remarks at an event in Vila Nova de Cerveira, urging the government to replace the legislation backed by the AD coalition, Chega, and the Liberal Initiative. He also confirmed the PS will not change its abstention on the state budget to avoid a political crisis. The warning comes amid nationwide protests over housing costs and a police crackdown on a Porto camp that left dozens injured, with thousands gathering to demand housing rights.