Spain: Massive protests after housing bills voted down
Organizers estimated that 500,000 people turned out in the streets of Madrid to demand affordable housing. Similar protests were held in around 50 other Spanish cities.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Spain on Saturday, rallying for affordable housing after the Spanish parliament rejected two emergency bills intended to aid renters and prevent evictions. The protests emerged a day after lawmakers narrowly defeated the bills during a Friday session. Protesters in Madrid expressed their frustration, stating that they must adapt to the political parties, not the other way around.
This sentiment was echoed by others who claimed the current situation cannot continue unabated. The demonstrations form part of a week-long series of actions sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, named Maricarmen Abascalin. Valeria Racu, a spokesperson for the Tenants Union, noted the surge in energy seen in the streets, emphasizing its potential to surpass the impact of previous eight-year progressive governments.
Police reported approximately 70,000 participants in Madrid while organizers put the number near 500,000. Similar protests occurred in over 50 cities. The eastern city of Valencia faced heightened police presence, with tear gas and rubber bullets employed against protesters. One protester inside Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences was removed by authorities.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's proposed measures included automatic renewal of tenancy contracts and restrictions on evictions for vulnerable tenants, but these were rejected by opposition parties. The defeat fueled the protestors' anger, as they demanded fundamental rights such as decent housing, stability, and the ability to build a fulfilling life.
Reports suggest Sanchez might call for an early election in November following the failed legislation, with his office refraining from commenting on the matter.
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