Hundreds of thousands protest across Spain over housing crisis

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital, Madrid, and other Spanish cities on Saturday as part of an escalation in their demands for measures to address the worsening housing crisis, following the opposition’s rejection of the government’s initiatives.

Some demonstrators carried signs calling for a general strike after the parliament rejected measures aimed at curbing public outrage sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home in Madrid, along with other housing sector issues.

Nando de Angulo, 26, who participated in Saturday’s protest in Madrid, said, “It’s a sad situation. This only proves that we, the people, have to adapt to political parties, not politicians adapting to what the people want. This situation cannot continue.”

Spanish media reported yesterday that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez might call for early elections in November following the failure to pass the legislation, and that he would monitor the scale of today’s protests before making any decision.

Sánchez’s office declined to comment on these reports.

In Valencia, located in the southeast of the country, protesters clashed with police, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the demonstrations.

About 30 protesters managed to enter the City of Arts and Sciences building, one of Valencia’s prominent cultural landmarks, before police succeeded in removing them.

Valeria Raco, spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, told journalists in Madrid that a general strike would be called after consultations with trade unions.

The Spanish government stated that approximately 70,000 people participated in Saturday’s protest in Madrid.

Protests planned for Barcelona and the nearby city of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat were canceled due to heavy rainfall.