{
  "id": 10224757,
  "title": "Spain’s PM vows action as housing protest sparked by eviction grows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/spains-pm-vows-action-as-housing-protest-sparked-by-eviction-grows-10224757",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T13:14:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/09/27/spain-s-pm-vows-action-as-housing-protest-sparked-by-eviction-grows"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledged swift government action on Sunday in response to a growing protest over unaffordable housing in Madrid. The movement began when police evicted an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, from her lifelong apartment on Wednesday. The incident sparked outrage and led hundreds of protesters to set up tents in Madrid's central Puerta del Sol public square. The protest was triggered by the skyrocketing costs of renting or buying homes in Spain's major cities. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday, with authorities estimating around 25,000 participants, while the Madrid Tenants' Union claimed over 300,000 attended. Many protesters vowed to remain in the camp until housing access is improved or the government falls. Spain's housing issue has become a major concern ahead of the general election next year. The government's proposed bill aims to address the crisis by enabling automatic renewal of rental contracts and limiting evictions. However, the bill's approval is uncertain due to Sanchez's party lacking a majority in parliament. The story of Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted after her rent was increased by 275% to 2,650 (US$3,000), has become a symbol of Spain's housing crisis. She hopes her eviction will encourage others to fight for change and help reform the laws that allowed her to be forced out of her 70-year home.",
  "summary": "Hundreds of protesters set up tents in Madrid's Puerta del Sol to demand better access to housing.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Spain’s PM vows action as housing protest sparked by eviction grows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/spains-pm-vows-action-as-housing-protest-sparked-by-eviction-grows",
        "published": "2026-09-27T13:14:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}