Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Barcelona demanding action on soaring housing costs, with demonstrations turning tense as riot police confronted protesters amid growing anger over evictions and rising rents.
The demonstrations have been fuelled in part by the eviction last month of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from the Madrid flat where she had lived for decades, an incident that has become a symbol of Spain’s worsening housing crisis.
Housing campaigners say rising rents and a shortage of affordable homes are placing increasing pressure on residents, particularly in major cities such as Barcelona and Madrid.
The protests also come amid political uncertainty after Spain’s prime minister called a snap election on Monday, following parliament’s rejection of housing measures intended to address the growing unrest.
One Barcelona protester told AFP that the political response had failed to address the immediate pressures facing residents.
“Today they’ve called for elections… But the average rent in Barcelona is still €1,200.. and we still have more than a hundred evictions scheduled this week,” the protester said.
As demonstrators filled Barcelona’s streets, tensions escalated and riot police moved against protesters, highlighting the growing frustration over housing affordability and displacement.
The protests are part of a wider debate in Spain over access to affordable housing, with campaigners demanding stronger measures to protect tenants and prevent people from being forced out of their homes.
