**Madrid Housing Protests Enter Third Day Following Eviction of Pensioner**
Protests in Madrid have entered their third day as demonstrators gather outside the regional administration to voice their outrage over the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal. The octogenarian was forcibly removed from her home of over seventy years last week, an action that has ignited widespread calls for stronger tenant protections amid a housing crisis characterized by soaring rents and a lack of available housing.
The eviction of Abascal, which occurred under the authority of an eviction order secured by an investment fund that purchased her apartment, has drawn significant public attention. On Saturday, approximately 30,000 individuals marched through the streets of Madrid, expressing solidarity with Abascal and others facing similar fates. Protesters carried banners with messages such as “Speculators go home” and “Housing is for living,” while many shook keys, a symbolic gesture representing their demand for housing rights.
The protests have seen a notable resurgence reminiscent of the 2011 demonstrations against austerity measures, with hundreds of tents now occupying the central Puerta del Sol square. Activists have vowed to maintain their presence until their demands are addressed. Among the demonstrators, student Blanca expressed the struggles faced by young Spaniards, stating, “We’ve decided to put our foot down, so let’s hope they hear us.”
The situation escalated last week when clashes broke out between protesters and police as they attempted to prevent Abascal's eviction. The leftist central government has criticized the centre-right regional administration for its handling of the situation, arguing that it has failed to provide adequate protections for vulnerable tenants.
In response to the ongoing protests, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that the government is working to introduce a housing decree in parliament by Tuesday, aimed at providing immediate relief for tenants. The housing crisis in Spain is severe, with rents having doubled over the past decade, far outpacing salary growth. The central bank reports a deficit of 750,000 homes, while only about 120,000 new units are constructed annually—this number is significantly lower than the pre-2008 financial crisis levels.
Regional President Isabel Diaz Ayuso, representing the centre-right, has attributed the housing crisis to the policies of Sanchez’s government, asserting that the current administration has not effectively tackled the issue during its eight years in power. As protests continue to unfold, the Tenants’ Union has announced further demonstrations planned across Spain, emphasizing the urgency of the housing situation and the need for systemic change.
The ongoing protests reflect a growing frustration among citizens regarding housing affordability and the influence of investment funds in the real estate market. With the situation evolving, many are watching closely to see how both local and national governments will respond to the mounting pressure from the public.