Portugal's Constitution Guarantees Housing Rights as Protests Grow

Portugal's constitution guarantees all citizens the right to adequate housing, a provision now central to nationwide protests against the housing crisis. Article 65 establishes this right and outlines the state's duties to ensure it. The article mandates the state to implement housing policy within territorial plans, promote social and economic housing with regional and local authorities, stimulate private construction serving public interest, and support community initiatives like housing cooperatives. It also requires a rent system compatible with family income and defines rules for urban land use and expropriation. The protests, which began in Porto on October 10 and spread to Lisbon, have led to clashes with police. Authorities reported 11 injuries and 31 detentions for disobedience, while protest organizers claim dozens were injured, following the dispersal of camps in both cities.