The Portuguese Journalists' Union (Sindicato dos Jornalistas) has announced it will file a complaint with the Ombudsman (Provedoria de Justiça) against the Public Security Police (PSP), demanding accountability for the aggression and intimidation of journalists covering housing protests in Porto and Lisbon. In a statement, the union particularly condemned PSP agents' aggression against a photojournalist who was covering the housing demonstration in Porto. The union said it would formalize the complaint.
The announcement follows a police operation in the early hours of Sunday to dismantle encampments in Lisbon and Porto, which resulted in 13 protesters being detained. The detainees are due to appear in court on Monday for their first judicial interrogation. In Porto, hearings are scheduled to begin at 10am at the Tribunal de Pequena Instância Criminal. In Lisbon, the interrogations are set for 2pm at the Campus da Justiça.
Lawyer Ricardo Sá Fernandes, representing protesters in Lisbon, said he will file a criminal complaint against the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, and the national director of the PSP, Pedro Moura. He cited the legality of the police operation and the use of force during the dismantling of the encampments.
In Porto, uncertainty remained at Praça Dom João I, where a few dozen protesters and around 10 tents remained. Police had completely left the area but returned in the final minutes. Two PSP vehicles were at the scene after 12:30am, the legal time limit for public demonstrations. No warning was given by police, who left and then returned. Protesters had considered dismantling due to insufficient numbers, but the situation remained calm. The decision to stay overnight was made at a Popular Assembly on Saturday night, which also rejected an invitation from Porto mayor Pedro Duarte for a meeting on Tuesday.
In Lisbon, protesters left Rossio before 1am. The night was marked by honking and firecrackers, with some moments of tension. After firecrackers exploded, a pursuit of the suspected responsible person led him to take refuge in a restaurant, which closed its gate for safety. An organizer said the man was an off-duty police officer. The PSP later identified the man as a 41-year-old manager who denies throwing the firework. Earlier, police had fined drivers who were honking in solidarity with the protest.
President of the Republic António José Seguro has said he is available to meet with protesters from both Porto and Lisbon. He wants to hear their proposals and discuss the recent events in Porto. Henrique Blanc, a spokesperson for the Porto camp, confirmed that the Civil House of the Presidency had contacted him. He said the invitation was received positively but would still be discussed democratically in the Popular Assembly. The President also contacted the mayors of Lisbon and Porto, Carlos Moedas and Pedro Duarte. He had earlier spoken with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and requested clarifications from the government and the Ombudsman regarding the police intervention. For Monday, the President has convened the Council of State for a meeting on social cohesion.
Political reactions have been swift. André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, blamed the situation on the absence of the Prime Minister, arguing that the protests should not be a public order issue and that the government does not know how to react. He pointed to Luís Montenegro and Luís Neves, and lamented that police officers are suffering from the dissatisfaction caused by the rising cost of living. Ventura also announced an emergency housing package.
The Livre party has demanded the resignation of the Minister of Internal Administration and will support PCP's request for an urgent debate. The party considers the police charges disproportionate and unjustified. Co-spokesperson Isabelle Mendes Lopes said the party will back the PCP proposal and stressed the importance of legislative debate. In a statement, Livre announced it will raise the case with international organizations, including the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, arguing that there were grave violations of rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The party condemned the police action against peaceful housing protests and described the new police interventions as deeply concerning.
In sports, Sporting have announced that coach Rui Borges will leave the club. The club said in a statement on Sunday that it had met with the coach to begin negotiations for contract termination. Tiago Fernandes, current B team coach, will take over the main team on an interim basis with immediate effect. Portuguese sports press reports that Paulo Fonseca is expected to replace Borges. Sports commentator Augusto Inácio said on Rádio Observador that Fonseca's arrival is almost certain, highlighting his experience and past success, though acknowledging he arrives at a difficult moment for Sporting. Borges, who joined Alvalade at the end of 2024 for around €4 million, won the league and Portuguese Cup in 2024/2025 and led the club to the Champions League quarter-finals the following season. He leaves after a series of poorer performances that put him under pressure.
In Formula 1, Kimi Antonelli has become the new world champion. The Italian Mercedes driver secured the title at the Mexico Grand Prix by finishing third, just over four seconds behind winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull. At 20, Antonelli becomes the youngest ever world champion and the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari finished second, less than a second behind Verstappen. George Russell, Antonelli's Mercedes teammate, finished sixth.
Sources: Observador.