Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has invited the leaders of the country’s two largest opposition parties to meet with their teams and discuss housing policy, proposing broader agreement on rental legislation as the government seeks to defuse tensions surrounding the housing crisis and recent protests.

In a televised address, Montenegro said he had spoken with the opposition leaders earlier that day and wanted to build on changes already under way in the sector. He argued that any revision to rental law should have enough cross-party support to be approved and remain in place over time.

The announcement came amid demonstrations over access to housing and confrontations between protesters and security forces. Montenegro said the government had already taken steps to address housing pressures, particularly for younger people, and pledged 10 billion euros in public investment through 2030. He also warned that policies take time to produce results and said there were no cost-free solutions.

The prime minister defended his handling of the issue, saying he had spoken publicly about it four times over a 15-day period. He rejected criticism that he had been silent, arguing that his role was to govern rather than comment on events every day.

Montenegro did not address the legal details of a recent Lisbon Administrative Court ruling or specify how it might affect the protests. Instead, he called for de-escalation and said the government would seek to balance the rights to assemble, demonstrate and express views with public safety, freedom of movement and the use of public space.

Chega leader André Ventura and Socialist Party leader José Luís Carneiro both welcomed the shift towards dialogue, while criticising aspects of Montenegro’s response. Ventura said the prime minister should show greater empathy for people facing difficulties. Carneiro said the crisis could not be resolved through policing alone and pointed to housing and living costs.

The opposition leaders now face pressure to reach an agreement with the government. Ventura said the new rental legislation should be negotiated by all three parties, while Carneiro signalled that the Socialists were open to compromises, including on the government’s public guarantee scheme. Talks between the three parties were due to begin on Thursday, according to the report.

Sources: Observador.