Shouting slogans such as “the fight continues” or “the public is for everyone, the private is just for a few”, the protesters, who march between Praça do Príncipe Real and Cais do Sodré, demand salary increases, with a minimum of 150 euros for each worker.

The protest, held in Lisbon and Porto, was organised by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers — Intersindical Nacional (CGTP-IN), under the slogan “For the Increase in Salaries/Against the Increase in the Cost of Living”.

The march takes place at a time of political crisis following the resignation of the Prime Minister, António Costa, and the call for early elections for March 10th by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, enabling the approval this month of the State Budget for 2024 (OE2024).

According to CGTP-IN, yesterdays day of struggle aims to mobilise the population to take to the streets for increases in wages and pensions, the right to housing, the right to health and the National Health Service (SNS), the defense and the strengthening of public services, demanding a different direction for the country.

The demonstration was announced on October 10, the same day that the Government delivered the OE2024 proposal to Parliament, already approved, with the final global vote scheduled for November 29th.