On Thursday, tens of thousands of people gathered in Madrid’s Plaza de España, demanding an end to the housing crisis. According to Reuters, the demonstration was part of a nationwide wave that included Barcelona, Valencia and Seville.
The protests followed the rejection of a bill that would have frozen evictions. Spanish lawmakers voted against the measure on Monday, a decision that left many renters without protection. The Guardian reported that the vote sparked immediate backlash from tenant associations.
Renters, tenant unions, and civil society groups formed the core of the crowds. A spokesperson for the National Union of Renters said, "We cannot accept that landlords can evict us without justification." The statement echoed earlier comments from the Spanish Housing Association, which warned that the lack of legal safeguards could lead to a surge in homelessness.
BBC footage shows crowds numbering in the thousands in Madrid, with similar scenes in Barcelona and other major cities. El País added that the protests were not limited to a single ideological group but represented a broader call for dignity and housing rights. "It is not about ideology, but about decency," the outlet quoted a participant as saying.
Following the bill’s defeat, opposition parties have called for early elections. The Financial Times noted that the rejection of the eviction freeze could trigger a parliamentary crisis. The Spanish Parliament’s ruling coalition faces growing pressure from both the left and the right.
Government officials have pledged to revisit the legislation and introduce new measures to protect tenants. The Ministry of Housing released a statement saying, "We are listening to the voices of the people and will act promptly." The next steps will likely involve drafting a revised bill and holding consultations with stakeholders.
