Spain Sees 70,000 March in Housing Protests After Parliament Rejects Tenant Measures in Most Dangerous Countries

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Madrid and other Spanish cities on October 3 demanding affordable housing in most dangerous countries, one day after parliament rejected the Socialist government's proposed tenant relief measures. The demonstrations extended a crisis that has gone on for more than a week, triggered by the eviction last month of a pensioner, 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, from her Madrid flat. [1] The defeat was another political setback for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and has renewed questions over whether his minority government can survive until the next scheduled general election in 2027. [2]

Mass Protests Sweep Spanish Cities

The protests were triggered by the eviction of 87-year-old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid flat after more than seven decades, following a 275 percent rent increase sought by new investment company owners. [1] Authorities said 70,000 people participated in Madrid, but the organisers put the figure at 500,000. [3] Smaller demonstrations took place in other cities, including Palma de Mallorca, Santander, Segovia and Toledo. [1] In Valencia, five people were arrested after clashes with police, local media reported. [1] At the Madrid protest Marcos Sainz, a librarian of 26, said he used to rent a two-bedroom apartment with friends for a total monthly rent of 900 euros. Today, a one-bedroom flat often costs 1,000 euros, he told AFP. [1] He would protest rental spikes until someone dares to regulate it all as otherwise we will all have to leave Madrid and that would be a shame as I am from Madrid. [3]

Parliament Rejects Tenant Protection Package

The rejected measures included automatic renewal of tenancy contracts, restrictions on evicting vulnerable tenants, and measures targeting vulture funds. [2] The housing bills Sanchez's leftist coalition had presented to parliament were rejected after the Catalan separatist party Junts joined the main opposition Popular Party and the far-right Vox party in shooting down the measures. [1] Junts voted against them, arguing they lacked rigour. [2] The package of measures defeated on Friday included the automatic renewal of rental contracts when they expire, as well as measures aimed at restricting the eviction of vulnerable tenants. [2]

Protesters march in Madrid demanding affordable housing after parliament rejected tenant relief measures. — Source: taipei-times

Political Fallout for Sanchez Government

PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo urged Sanchez to call early elections because the country cannot take any more. [1] After the vote, main opposition conservative Popular Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo urged Sanchez to call elections as soon as possible. [2] Recent opinion polls have generally placed the Popular Party ahead of the Socialists. [3] The defeat was another political setback for Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and has renewed questions over whether his minority government can survive until the next scheduled general election in 2027. [1]

Housing Costs Drive Long-Running Anger in Most Dangerous Countries

Average rents in Spain have almost doubled over the past decade, while asking prices for homes have risen by about 90 percent, according to real estate website Idealista. [1] Housing has for years been a top concern for Spaniards as supply falls short of demand, with rents and house prices rising as elsewhere in the European Union. [2] Abascal's eviction catalysed long-running anger about runaway housing costs. [1] The pensioner was forced to leave the Madrid flat where she had lived for more than seven decades after it was acquired by an investment company that sought to increase her rent by 275 percent, according to housing campaigners. [3] The backlash led the property's new owners to reach a deal allowing her to return to the flat at a low rent. [1]

What to watch next: The Tenants' Union repeated its call for a general strike while similar demonstrations have been held in Lisbon, Dublin, Potsdam and The Hague. [4]