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Madrid Housing Protests Intensify Amid Tenant Protection Rejection
Thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid on Saturday, joining nationwide protests over housing costs that could increase pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call a snap election. The demonstrations were sparked by last week's eviction of an 87-year-old disabled woman, highlighting housing as a top concern for many Spaniards. On Friday, parliament rejected the government's emergency housing package, which could prompt Sanchez to bring forward elections due for next year. The protesters, organized by the Tenants' Union, set off from different parts of Madrid and headed toward Plaza de Cibeles, a landmark square in central Madrid. They chanted 'What's going on? We don't have a home!' and raised their house keys, creating a metallic jangle through the crowd. Signs called for a general strike and rent controls. Nuria López, a senior compliance officer, stated that 40% of her wages go on rent, making it impossible to move or buy a home. Alejandro Garcia, 27, shared that his one-bedroom flat costs €990 ($1,114) a month, representing a large portion of his wages. Spain's housing crisis has deepened over the years, with rents and house prices far outpacing wages, particularly affecting youth and low-income workers. More than two-thirds of adults under 34 live with their parents. In the second quarter of 2026, Spanish house prices increased 12% from a year earlier, more than twice the European Union average. Spain has also built far fewer houses than other high-income countries over the last decade, facing a shortage of about 750,000 homes according to the Bank of Spain. Eldiario.es reported that Sánchez will decide over the weekend whether to call an election, with Nov. 29 as a tentative date. Belén Barrera, a university researcher, expressed little hope that the government would pass effective measures, stating, 'We cannot trust public institutions right now. It's a situation where the last straw has been reached.'
