Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Madrid and other Spanish cities on Friday, demanding parliamentary action to address the country’s worsening housing crisis.
Demonstrators gathered outside Madrid City Hall, rattling keys, blowing whistles and banging spoons against pots as they called for stronger protections for vulnerable tenants. Similar protests were held outside town halls in Barcelona and Cordoba.
The demonstrations came ahead of a parliamentary vote on housing measures proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government.
The protests were sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for 70 years. Her case became a focal point for wider concerns over rising rents, limited housing supply and tenant protections.
“This is the time to listen to people on the streets and stop making partisan calculations,” Alicia del Rio, spokeswoman for the Madrid Tenants’ Union, said during the protest.
What Was In The Housing Package?
The government’s proposed measures included tighter restrictions on the eviction of vulnerable tenants and restrictions on companies considered to have “speculative” aims from the real estate market until the end of 2028.
Other measures under consideration included extending protections against evictions until 2030, extending rent controls and introducing tighter rules for short-term rentals.
Sánchez had urged lawmakers to support the measures, calling for “a sense of responsibility” and asking politicians to put partisan divisions aside.
However, the government faced opposition from several parties in Spain’s fragmented parliament.
Parliament Rejects Housing Decree
The situation changed on Friday when Spain’s lower house rejected the government’s housing decree.
The measure was defeated by 178 votes in the 350-seat chamber after Junts withdrew its support, arguing that the proposals could reduce rental housing supply and increase prices.
The rejection has added pressure on Sánchez’s minority government as protesters continue demanding action over housing affordability.
Abascal Set To Return Home
Abascal’s eviction had become a major symbol of the housing crisis, but she is expected to return to the Madrid apartment after reaching an agreement with its owner.
Her lawyer said the agreement would allow her to return under a new arrangement with rent similar to what she had previously paid.
The protests have nevertheless continued, with demonstrators demanding broader changes to Spain’s housing system.
