Spanish police dismantle Madrid housing protest camp

Spanish police dismantled a large tent camp in Madrid that had been a focal point for protests against the country's housing crisis for over a month, leading to early elections. The camp, which appeared in September following an eviction of an 87-year-old woman, attracted hundreds of people and featured facilities such as a canteen and clinic.

On Tuesday morning, authorities cleared the area surrounding Madrid's symbol Puerta del Sol square, removing tents, tarpaulin, and debris. Police stated the operation was carried out without violence, evicting 334 individuals and arresting two. Protest organizers, however, described it as violent and reported injuries from tear gas.

Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government had introduced two housing decrees to address the issue, but these were not passed by parliament, resulting in the early election. Spain faces a significant housing shortage, with an estimated 700,000 homes lacking, and soaring rents that often exceed half of the average wage for modest households.