Portuguese yellow vests demonstrate this Friday in 17 different cities in the country

  • ECO News
  • 20 December 2018

In Lisbon, demonstrations of the Portuguese yellow vests are expected in four different locations: 25 de Abril bridge, Marquês de Pombal, Palácio de Belém and highway A8 to Torres Vedras.

This Friday, the whole country will turn yellow. Portugal’s minister of foreign affairs on Thursday warned that the protests of Portuguese “yellow vests” set for the 21st of December should respect the movement of goods and safety of people, and promised to fight influence from the extreme right in society.

“The right to demonstrate is enshrined in the constitution” but “it has to be a peaceful demonstration, communicated to the authorities and that does not disturb the free movement of people and goods nor the safety of citizens,” the ‘number two’ of Portugal’s government, Augusto Santos Silva told news agency Lusa.

On the influence of forces of the extreme right in the popular movement, Santos Silva promised a “political, democratic and peaceful struggle.”

Portugal’s “yellow vests” movement (MCAP) has scheduled a major protest nationwide for Friday.

Picture:  “Portuguese Yellow Vests suggest: Reduce taxes/ increase of minimum wage/ review pensions/ end of lifelong benefits/subsidies for politicians/ Reform of the National Health System/ 35′ Hours for everyone (public and private sector)”

Now, various movements are calling for citizens through social networks to go out on the street in many points of the country on Friday, trying to imitate the movement of the “yellow vests” of France, but without violence.

In the manifesto, the group proposes the reduction of the minimum salary, the improvement of the national health system, a reduction in energy taxes, a decrease in VAT and the corporate income tax (IRC) for micro and small enterprises, as well as the end of petroleum product tax and reduction to half of fuel VAT, among many other suggestions.

The movement does not tolerate any act of violence or vandalism and calls itself “peaceful and non-partisan”, and defends the fight against corruption.

These areas have been confirmed so far:

The PSP ( Public Security Police) announced that they will “ensure that safety, order and peace are maintained during the protests, as well as make sure that citizen’s rights, liberties and guarantees are respected”.

LUSA/ECO