Spain’s lefty government evicted an 87-year-old woman from her home of 70 years and thousands of protesters took the streets
Spain’s average rent has nearly doubled in a decade, while more than a quarter of renters spend 40% of their income on housing.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of various Spanish cities in protest over lawmakers rejecting emergency housing measures. Large crowds gathered in Madrid, calling for a general strike and affordable housing options. In Valencia, police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters who breached a security perimeter near a real estate summit held at the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences complex, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava.
However, there were no immediate reports of injuries. The evictions have sparked outrage, particularly following the evicted of an 87-year-old woman, María del Carmen Abascal, from her 70-year-old home in Madrid. Protests have persisted, with thousands camped out in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, demanding the government take action to protect tenants.
The government proposed emergency measures to restrict evictions, curb property speculation, and provide indefinite leases for renters. However, conservative opposition parties blocked the measures in parliament. Spain's housing crisis has been a long-standing issue, affecting its poorest and young citizens the most. Rent prices have risen significantly, with the average cost per square meter nearly doubling in the last decade.
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