Protesters began a third day of camping outside the regional administration building in Madrid on Monday, demanding tougher protections for tenants after the forced removal of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal from her home of more than seventy years.
Eviction sparks outrage
Police escorted Abascal on a stretcher from her apartment after an eviction order was obtained by an investment fund that purchased the property. The incident has ignited a wave of public anger, with hundreds of people gathering in the historic Puerta del Sol square to voice their concerns.
Mass demonstrations echo 2011 protests
Last weekend, roughly 30,000 people marched through the streets of Madrid, chanting slogans such as “Speculators go home” and “Housing is for living.” The scale of the demonstrations recalls the 2011 occupation of the same square, when activists protested austerity measures.
Dozens of activists erected tents as night fell, and the number of makeshift shelters has continued to grow. Blanca, a university student, explained that many young Spaniards are still living with their parents because affordable housing is scarce. “Politicians not only do nothing but make it worse,” she said. “We’ve decided to put our foot down, so let’s hope they hear us.”
Regional and national officials respond
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the centre‑right president of the Madrid region, faces criticism for not preventing the eviction. She has blamed the national government for the housing shortage, noting that her administration has limited authority over private property sales.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, speaking on Sunday, said his government is preparing a housing decree that will be presented to parliament by Tuesday. The decree aims to provide immediate relief for tenants, though details remain limited.
Housing crisis context
Spain’s housing market has seen rents double on average over the past decade, far outpacing wage growth. The central bank reports a deficit of roughly 750,000 homes, with only about 120,000 new units built each year – a fraction of the pre‑2008 construction level.
Advocacy groups, including the Tenants’ Union, have coordinated additional protests across the country for Monday, signaling that the issue is far from resolved.
What’s at stake for families
For many families, the lack of affordable housing threatens the ability to achieve independence and stability. The protests underscore a broader demand for policies that protect long‑term residents from speculative buyouts and ensure that homes remain places for living, not profit.
As the demonstrations continue, both regional and national leaders are under pressure to present concrete solutions that address the housing shortage while respecting property rights.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
