Demonstrators march to Prime Minister Montenegro's home over fuel prices

Motorcade from Santa Maria da Feira

Around 80 demonstrators gathered on Saturday, 12 September 2026, to protest rising fuel prices and the general increase in the cost of living across Portugal. The action began in Santa Maria da Feira at the parking lot adjacent to the local volunteer fire department. Participants organized a slow-moving motorcade that travelled along the EN1 highway, passed through the Picoto roundabout, and headed towards the coastal city of Espinho. Although initial assembly was set for 09:00 with a planned departure at 10:30, the vehicle procession did not get underway until after 12:30. Organizers coordinated the planned route in advance with municipal authorities, the PSP police force, and Civil Protection.

Standoff near the casino

Upon reaching Espinho, participants parked their vehicles and continued the demonstration on foot, carrying Portuguese flags and heading towards the casino district. The chosen route brought the protest to within a short distance of the private residence of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. Police officers deployed along the perimeter established a security cordon just metres from Montenegro's home, halting the group before they could approach the building directly. Demonstrators chanted slogans including "Paying at the pump while the government profits" and "A united people will never be defeated", alongside calls for the cabinet to resign. The gathering concluded with participants singing the Portuguese national anthem.

Demands and political disclaimers

Spokesperson Ricardo Pinto, a local entrepreneur who also serves as an elected municipal deputy for the Chega party in Santa Maria da Feira, described the event as an independent civic initiative. Pinto stated that the protest originated from three young entrepreneurs experiencing direct pressure from rising operating expenses and grocery costs. Addressing Montenegro directly, Pinto argued that the administration had exhausted its preparation window without presenting tangible financial relief.

He has been in this game for more than six months. If he tells me he has no solution, he is not doing anything there, he cannot govern us.

Pinto rejected suggestions that the demonstration carried any threatening intent, maintaining that the sole objective was to urge the head of government to implement economic measures.

Living costs and future demonstrations

Co-organizer Sónia Coelho noted that everyday fuel expenses have placed an unsustainable burden on household budgets in the region. Coelho explained that allocating 20 euros for fuel no longer provides adequate transportation, leaving families facing steep trade-offs between transport and essential food shopping.

Between putting in petrol and the supermarket, my income does not increase, but the cost increases.

Organizers reported substantial interest across digital platforms prior to the event, noting that promotional posts gathered approximately 1.5 million views and more than 60,000 interactions on social media during initial promotion. Pinto stated that the Espinho demonstration was the first in a broader series, warning that public actions will continue until the government presents concrete policies to lower energy and living costs.