Thousands March Across Spain Demanding Affordable Housing
What Happened
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Madrid and dozens of other Spanish cities to demand action on the country's worsening housing crisis. The protests followed parliament's rejection of government measures aimed at tackling evictions and rising housing costs, including proposals to protect vulnerable tenants. Around 70,000 people joined the Madrid demonstration, while protests were held in about 50 cities nationwide. Some protesters called for a general strike, while demonstrations in Valencia turned violent, leading to clashes with police. The protests were fueled in part by public anger over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, which has become a symbol of Spain's housing affordability crisis.
Key Takeaways
The housing crisis has emerged as one of Spain's biggest political issues, with growing pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government to deliver measures that curb evictions and make housing more affordable.