Protesters across Spain demand action over housing crisis

Protests erupted across Spain on Saturday, demanding stronger tenant protections following the government's failure to pass emergency housing legislation. The issue was sparked by an 87-year-old woman's eviction last month, which triggered nationwide outrage over skyrocketing rents and the eviction of vulnerable homeowners. About 50 planned marches were set to take place in major cities like Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona, with some demonstrations already underway.

The government's measures, proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's leftist coalition, aimed to suspend evictions for vulnerable tenants, extend rental leases, and restrict purchases by investment funds, known as "vulture funds." However, the proposed legislation faced a decisive defeat in parliament by a vote of 178 to 172 and 184 to 166.

The rejection of the first decree, which addressed evictions, and the second decree, which focused on rental contracts, heightened tensions, leading some to call for a general strike. The housing crisis in Spain is severe, with an estimated 700,000 homes lacking, and house prices rising sharply over the past year, making it increasingly difficult for many to afford housing.