The proposal is contained in a motion in which the PAN affirms that “housing is a fundamental social right”, presenting a set of 13 measures, one of which is the “temporary suspension of the sale of properties to natural or legal persons not residing in Portugal, with the exception of immigrants holding a residence permit”.

“Today we present a motion that reminds us that the right to housing is a fundamental right and that in today’s Portugal it does not exist,” said António Morgado Valente, sole deputy of the PAN party (People-Animals-Nature) to the Assembly. Lisbon City Council (AML).

In the motion, PAN states that “the increase in tourism, gentrification, low wages in Portugal, real estate speculation and more recently the increase in Euribor have contributed to an increase in property prices, making the unaffordable housing for many people.

Regarding the temporary suspension of the sale of properties to non-residents in Portugal, IL MP Angélique Da Teresa considered that this proposal “is totally unacceptable” and warned that “there is no xenophobia from the property”.

“Let’s stop ideological prejudice against each other and increase the supply [de habitação]”, defended the IL MP.

From the PSD headquarters, Carlos Reis questioned the Assembly’s board of directors on the admissibility of this proposal, calling it “illegal” and suggesting that the PAN withdraw it.

“As a political will, it must be admitted,” underlined CDS-PP MP Margarida Penedo.

In response to the warnings, the PAN MP declared that “in an exceptional situation, exceptional measures”, indicating that Canada has taken steps in this direction and considering that this could help resolve the problem of real estate speculation.

However, António Morgado Valente proposed that the motion be sent to the V Commission of Housing, Local Development and Municipal Works of the AML, so that it could be reformulated before being put to the vote, which was approved at the majority, with votes against Chega and votes in favor of the rest.

Among the measures proposed by the PAN are the reduction of the tax pressure on rents in order to encourage the supply of housing, the increase in the amount available for youth rentals (Porta 65) and social assistance intended for rentals affordable or emergency, the creation of insurance to cover the payment of rent in the event of non-payment and the exemption from capital gains on the sale of permanent housing with proof of tax residence for a period minimum of five years.

On the proposal of the PCP, the assembly approved the obligation of the Government to “take the necessary measures to implement the response to the survey on the housing shortage included in the Local Housing Strategy of the municipality, by mobilizing the corresponding financial resources.

Incorporating a motion “for effective measures aimed at reducing the value of rents and payments to the bank, guaranteeing the right to housing”, this proposal was made possible thanks to the votes against from Chega and the PPM, to the abstention of PSD and CDS-PP, and the votes in favor of BE, Livre, PEV, PCP, PS, PAN, IL, MPT, Aliança and two independent deputies elected by the PS/Livre coalition.

The remaining two points of the PCP motion were rejected, including the votes against from the PS and PSD, namely the reduction in the value of deposits for the purchase of own housing, ensuring that banks support the increase interest rates with their profits, alongside the implementation of a moratorium exempting the payment of the capital tranche and reduction in the value of rents, with setting a limit to the increase in housing rents.

Also with the votes against from the PS and PSD, a motion from the PEV was rejected to urge the government to consider establishing free use of public transport, throughout the country, for young people up to 23 years old , even if they do not study; to students over 23 years old, whatever the educational component; to the unemployed; and people over 65 years old.