Massive demonstrations have erupted in Madrid and various other cities across Spain as citizens intensify their calls for urgent measures to address a growing housing crisis. This surge in public outcry follows the recent rejection of government initiatives aimed at alleviating the situation by opposition parties.
On Saturday, protesters marched through the streets, holding signs advocating for a general strike. Their discontent was particularly fueled by the recent eviction of an elderly woman, 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, in Madrid, alongside broader housing concerns. Government sources estimated that around 70,000 individuals participated in the protests, while organizers claimed the turnout was as high as 500,000.
Nando de Anguulo, a 26-year-old protester in Madrid, expressed frustration, stating, “It’s unfortunate that it seems we must conform to the desires of political parties, rather than politicians responding to our needs. This cannot continue.”
Reports indicate that Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez may consider calling for early elections in November following the parliamentary defeat of the housing measures. He is likely to assess the scale of Saturday’s protests before making a final decision.
The protests, which unfolded peacefully in 50 cities, have reignited discussions around the Prime Minister’s administration, diverting attention from the recent issues in Ceuta. However, in Valencia, tensions escalated as some demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, resulting in police using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds. A group of around 30 protesters temporarily occupied the City of Arts and Sciences before being removed by authorities.
Marcos Sainz, a 26-year-old librarian, shared his concerns about rising rental costs, indicating that he once shared a two-bedroom apartment for 900 euros but now faces a one-bedroom rental price of around 1,000 euros, which is nearly half the average salary in Madrid. He voiced his commitment to protesting against rental increases, emphasizing the need for regulation to prevent residents from being forced out of the city.
Another protester, Javier, 31, who works as a solar panel installer, articulated the demand for fundamental rights related to housing stability, saying, “We seek decent living conditions that allow us to build a meaningful life. I am currently spending a significant portion of my income on a small room.”
Valeria Racu, a spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union organizing the protests, remarked, “What we are witnessing in the streets is a newfound energy that we haven’t experienced in years. The momentum generated by ordinary people in just eight days can surpass the achievements of eight years of progressive governance.” She asserted, “This marks the beginning of genuine political engagement, a movement that has always belonged to the people and will reclaim its space on the streets.”
On Friday, Sánchez’s coalition proposed two decrees aimed at enhancing housing accessibility, which included a moratorium on evictions until 2030 and regulations for temporary rentals. Despite the significant public discontent witnessed outside the parliament, opposition parties, including the conservative People’s Party, far-right Vox, and the Catalan independence party Junts, voted against the measures. The People’s Party defended its stance by stating that the path to affordable housing lies in construction rather than regulation, with lawmaker Juan Bravo asserting, “Housing won’t become more affordable through decrees; it requires the creation of more homes.”
The rejection of the proposed housing package elicited a chorus of boos and chants of “shame” from protesters, who expressed their frustration with the slogan, “Your profits, our misery.” The anger surrounding the housing crisis surged recently following the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, who had lived in her home for 70 years but could not meet the exorbitant rent increase demanded by the investment firm that acquired her apartment.
This report incorporates contributions from Reuters and AFP.
