Tens of thousands of Spaniards marched in Madrid and other cities Saturday demanding action on a housing crisis after government relief measures were rejected by parliament. The protests, which saw an estimated 500,000 demonstrators, followed a week of unrest sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid.
The protests, organized by the Tenants' Union, focused on affordable housing and rent control, with demonstrators in Valencia clashing with police who used tear gas and rubber bullets. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government proposed measures to protect vulnerable tenants, but opposition parties blocked the bills, prompting concerns over the government's stability.
Sanchez's government faces renewed pressure as the opposition calls for snap elections, with the Popular Party leading in recent opinion polls. The crisis highlights a growing disconnect between public demand and political action, with protesters demanding a 'right to a roof' and challenging the government's ability to address rising housing costs.
The eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, a pensioner forced out of her home after a 275% rent increase, became a catalyst for the protests. Despite the backlash, the property's new owners agreed to a low-rent arrangement, but the incident underscores ongoing tensions between tenants and landlords in a market where rents have nearly doubled over the past decade.