Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Madrid and other Spanish cities on Saturday after the Congress of Deputies rejected two emergency decrees aimed at curbing soaring rents and preventing evictions. The protests, described by Reuters as the largest of the year, were sparked by the forced eviction of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal and come amid a broader housing affordability crisis that has left many Spaniards unable to secure stable homes.
Scale and locations of the protests
The BBC reported that more than 50 separate demonstrations were scheduled nationwide, with the biggest rally in Madrid drawing “tens of thousands” of participants. The Guardian echoed this figure, quoting organizers who said “tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Madrid and other Spanish cities”. However, estimates varied widely: Euronews claimed nearly 500,000 demonstrators gathered in the capital, while The Journal reported “over 70,000” participants across the country. Sky News highlighted that the protests also spread to Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Zaragoza, where local groups set up temporary camps, a detail confirmed by NBC News.
"This can't go on," said a demonstrator in Madrid, summarising the sentiment echoed by many across Spain.
Political fallout
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s coalition government faced a setback when the lower house narrowly rejected the proposed tenant‑protection measures, a move that the BBC described as “potentially paving the way for a snap election”. Politico.eu noted that Sánchez is now weighing whether to call an early vote to regain legislative momentum. The opposition right‑wing parties, according to The Guardian, voted down the bills, accusing the government of over‑reaching and failing to consult landlords.
In response, the government’s housing ministry announced it would draft a new package of reforms, though no timetable was provided. The rejection has intensified calls from civil‑society organisations for stronger rent controls and expanded public housing, demands that have been echoed in statements from the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
Background of the housing crisis
Spain’s housing market has been under pressure since the pandemic, with rents rising faster than wages in many urban areas. Al Jazeera reported that the two rejected decrees would have introduced caps on rent increases and granted greater protection against arbitrary evictions. DW.com added that the failure to pass the measures has deepened a “days‑long crisis” affecting low‑income families and young adults. The eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, a case highlighted by Sky News, became a symbolic flashpoint, illustrating how elderly and vulnerable tenants are being forced out of long‑held homes.
Analysts warned that continued unrest could destabilise the government’s agenda beyond housing. The BBC suggested that the protests might influence Spain’s broader economic policies, while local authorities in Madrid have deployed additional police to manage crowd safety and prevent clashes. As protests continue into the night, organisers announced they will maintain a presence in public squares, urging the state to act swiftly before the movement loses momentum.
