Mass protests in Spain after measures to address housing crisis blocked

Thousands of citizens took to the streets of Madrid and dozens of other Spanish cities, demanding action to address the housing crisis and the continued rise in rents. Protesters could be heard chanting, “General strike now!”

The march in the capital headed toward Plaza Cibeles. According to the authorities, around 70,000 people took part, while the Tenants’ Union said the number of participants exceeded half a million. Protesters chanted, “Shame!” and “Speculators out of our neighborhoods!”

The demonstrations were organized after the Congress of Deputies voted down two government decrees proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in the area of housing. The People’s Party, Vox and Junts per Catalunya voted against them, creating the majority that blocked the initiatives.

Protests were reported in more than 50 cities, including Bilbao, Málaga, Alicante, Palma de Mallorca and the Canary Islands.

The situation became tense in Valencia, where some protesters attempted to cross the police cordon near the Palau de las Artes. A real estate sector conference was taking place in the area. Law enforcement officers used tear gas and rubber bullets; five people were arrested and nine officers were injured.

The Tenants’ Union is calling for rent controls, a ban on evictions of vulnerable people, measures to tackle real estate speculation and restrictions on the expansion of tourist rentals.

Sánchez’s government has announced that it will continue efforts to pass a new package of housing measures, despite its latest defeat in Congress.

The issue is also affecting the political climate ahead of the next elections. Sánchez has not ruled out dissolving both chambers of Parliament and calling early elections, although the current term ends in July 2027.

According to polls, the People’s Party would come first with around 33% of the vote, ahead of the PSOE with 26% and Vox with 18%. Projections forecast 137 seats for the PP, 107 for the PSOE and 62 for Vox. If these figures were confirmed, the two right-wing parties would together control 199 lawmakers, above the threshold of 176 seats required for an absolute majority.

However, the housing debate could affect this scenario. A 40dB poll for “El País” and “Cadena SER” shows that 67.5% of Spaniards support rent controls. The measure is also backed by more than 55% of voters for the People’s Party and Vox.

Increasing the supply of social housing is supported by 82.4% of respondents. Meanwhile, as many as 75% favor postponing evictions of vulnerable people and limiting rent increases.

“Measures first, then elections,” said former minister Irene Montero, who called for the approval of a new decree to reduce rents and ban speculation.

At the close of the rally in Madrid, Tenants’ Union spokesperson Valeria Racu said: “The path is clear, and it is a general strike.”