Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid on Saturday to voice their anger over Spain's growing housing affordability crisis. The demonstration followed a decision by lawmakers to reject emergency housing legislation aimed at helping struggling families. Many protesters carried signs and chanted slogans while some called for a general strike in support of renters' rights.
The march was sparked by the recent eviction of María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who lost her home in Madrid last month, according to Euronews. Abascal's case drew national attention and led to a temporary encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol. She has since accepted an agreement that will allow her to return to the apartment under a new eight-year lease with rent capped at 30% of her net income.
Her eviction highlighted the lack of protections for elderly tenants and sparked widespread public anger across Spain.
Demonstrators gathered in large numbers to express their frustration with housing policies that they say favor landlords over renters. The protest was part of a broader movement calling for changes to how Spain handles rental agreements and housing access. Some participants brought house keys as symbolic tools to emphasize their demand for secure housing.
The government has been under pressure to act on housing shortages and rising costs in urban areas like Madrid. Abascal’s situation became a symbol of the larger issue affecting many elderly and low-income residents in Spain. Her story resonated with people who feel they are being pushed out of their homes by unaffordable rent prices.
Protesters called for more support and legal protections for older adults and vulnerable groups in the housing market. The march occurred just one day after lawmakers voted down emergency measures designed to ease Spain’s housing crisis. Spain's parliament rejected two emergency housing decrees proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's minority government.
Organizers said the demonstration was not only about Abascal but also about systemic problems in how housing is managed across the country.
The protests have drawn attention to the urgent need for affordable housing solutions in Spain’s major cities. The demonstration was one of several recent events highlighting growing discontent over housing conditions in Spain. About 70,000 people took part in Saturday's Madrid demonstration according to the Spanish government.
The Tenants Union said it plans to call a general strike after talks with labor unions. Abascal remains a focal point for those demanding justice and better housing policies in Spain. Protests in dozens of other Spanish cities were mostly peaceful while police used tear gas and rubber bullets during clashes in Valencia.