Fresh protests to hit Spain after housing measures defeated

Fresh protests against housing issues are set to occur in Madrid and other Spanish cities on Saturday, following parliament's rejection of two government measures aimed at protecting tenants. The rejection of these measures comes a day after a dramatic eviction, where 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was removed from her Madrid apartment, where she had lived for nearly 70 years.

This defeat is seen as a setback for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who faces questions about the longevity of his minority government, which is currently dependent on the support of Catalan separatist party Junts. The opposition Popular Party has urged Sánchez to call for early elections, noting their recent lead in opinion polls.

The Tenants Union, which is coordinating the protests, has called for demonstrations in over 50 Spanish cities on Saturday. Demonstrations in Madrid have been ongoing for about a week, with activists gathering in Puerta del Sol, one of the city's main tourist squares. The defeated measures included automatic renewal of rental contracts and restrictions on evictions of vulnerable tenants, as well as targeting "vulture funds" which buy properties at low prices.

The housing crisis has been a long-standing concern in Spain, with rents and property prices skyrocketing as supply falls short of demand. Recent years have seen average rents almost double in the past decade, while home prices have increased by around 90 percent. The eviction of Maricarmen Abascal has sparked outrage over excessive rent hikes, leading to a deal between her and the new property owners that allows her to return to the apartment at a reduced rent.