Tentar calar a contestação não evita a derrota da política que a gera

The government aims to silence dissent rather than change its policies, employing various methods to suppress protests. Initially, it attempted to import a narrative of violent protests, but in the absence of such events, it created excuses to limit the right to protest. The police have even fined drivers for showing solidarity with housing rights demonstrations. This shift has diverted public discourse from pressing issues like housing, cost of living, and wages to the right to protest itself. The government's actions echo past repressive measures, particularly under PSD leadership. Despite knowing its policies are unsustainable, the government and its supporters seek to stifle dissent, inadvertently hastening their own downfall.