Spain: Thousands protest in Madrid against housing crisis

Tens of thousands of people protested in Madrid on Saturday against the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her lifelong home. Abascal was forcibly removed from her apartment on Sainz de Baranda Street, where she had lived since 1956, by police who broke down her door. Images of her being carried away on a stretcher after the eviction have drawn significant public attention and reignited discussions surrounding Spain's ongoing housing crisis. Protesters rallied not only in Madrid but also in other cities like Granada, expressing solidarity with Abascal and calling for greater protections for tenants. The protests highlighted widespread anger over rising housing costs and the increasing number of evictions in Spain. Demonstrators rattled keys, blew whistles, chanted slogans, and held banners demanding measures to curb these issues. The situation has intensified scrutiny on the government led by centre-left Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is facing pressure to address the housing crisis. His administration is expected to discuss a package of pro-tenant measures in an upcoming cabinet meeting. The eviction of Abascal has also attracted attention from organizations such as Madrid’s Tenants' Union and the United Nations, both of which opposed the decision to evict her. The case has become emblematic of the struggles faced by long-term tenants in Spain, as the country grapples with rising rents and inadequate protections for vulnerable populations. The protests serve as a reminder of the urgent need for policy changes to address these pressing housing issues.