The PSP found three Molotov cocktails at Rossio, the Lisbon square hosting a housing rights encampment, according to Rádio Observador's 20:00 news bulletin. Citing Lusa, the bulletin said the devices were detected during a security inspection at the protest site. One was intact, made from a glass bottle containing flammable liquid, while the other two were already broken; no deflagration was verified. The objects were collected and handed to the PSP's criminal investigation division for technical examinations and the possible opening of a criminal case.
After a new popular assembly, the crowd had begun to leave the square. Following the police charge earlier that morning, protesters would not put up tents again that night. A concert was taking place at Rossio, where most people were concentrated, and a popular canteen was scheduled; after that, it would be decided whether the crowd would demobilise.
Several political figures showed support for the Lisbon encampment. Former MP Helena Roseta described the previous night as sombre and very worrying for the rule of law, and questioned why police waited until 4am if they were convinced they were enforcing the law. She said waiting until no one was watching was lamentable. Catarina Martins, a Bloco de Esquerda MEP, questioned the purpose of the police charge and asked what the government wanted, suggesting it might fear public discussion of housing or be seeking an authoritarian state. António Filipe, a PCP leader, said Parliament must urgently debate the police charges and argued there must be political responsibility for what he called a gross violation of fundamental rights. He also said the president of the Republic must speak more vocally on the issue and establish responsibilities. The PCP requested a conference of leaders to schedule an urgent debate on police action, saying the Assembly of the Republic should exercise oversight even during the budget's specialist discussion.
Secretary of State for Housing Patrícia Gonçalves Costa said she was available to meet organisations from the encampments, telling Lusa she is and always will be available to meet everyone. She noted she had already held more than three hundred meetings with various entities, but stressed she was available to meet all those with ideas and a need to share them. She said the ministry's orientation was clear: increase public supply and create capacity in the construction sector to respond to housing challenges. Porto mayor Pedro Duarte also made himself available for a meeting, inviting protesters to a gathering next Tuesday at the city council. According to the communication seen by Observador, the aim was to discuss possible occasional accompaniments, the compatibility of the right to demonstrate with the availability of urban spaces, and the preparation and scheduling of a broader meeting at Teatro Rivoli, a demand of protesters who want to discuss access to housing. Several hundred protesters remained at Praça Dom João I, and the Porto encampment movement was deciding on the day of the bulletin whether to accept the invitation.
LIVRE reacted to the police charge by demanding the resignation of the interior minister, citing political responsibility for what it called disproportionate and unjustified police action. In a statement, the party said it would raise the case with international organisations, including the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, arguing there were serious violations of rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. LIVRE condemned the police action against what it described as peaceful protests for the right to housing and called the new police interventions deeply worrying.
Interior Minister Luís Neves also reacted to the PSP operation earlier in the afternoon and placed his position at the disposal of the prime minister. He said the images were difficult to see and evoked contradictory feelings, but stressed that no one took pleasure in what had happened in the early hours. Neves said his remaining in charge of the interior portfolio was now in the prime minister's hands. He defended the police against what he considered a small sample of people who had undermined public order.
The Socialist Party said it would urgently call Parliament to clarify the events. In Porto, José Luís Carneiro said at a press conference that Prime Minister Luís Montenegro should urgently convene the internal security system, with representatives of the Assembly of the Republic present, to ensure institutional follow-up and democratic scrutiny of what had been happening. PS secretary-general António José Seguro asked the government for information and clarifications about the police interventions in Lisbon and Porto, and said he wanted to speak with the president of the Republic about the issue.
In sport, Rui Borges was reported to be no longer Sporting's coach, according to Portuguese media cited in the bulletin, including SIC and A Bola. The report followed a series of poor results, including two consecutive defeats, and a Friday win over Casa Pia in Rio Maior that did not convince fans or Frederico Varandas. Negotiations with a new coach were said to be advanced, with Paulo Fonseca the most mentioned name for the next game against Shakhtar Donetsk in London. Tiago Fernandes was indicated as the name to lead the team. It remained unconfirmed whether Paulo Fonseca would leave Lyon for Sporting.
Sources: Observador.