Thousands rallied in the Spanish capital on Sunday demanding affordable housing and lower rents.
ADVERTISEMENTThousands marched through the streets of Madrid on Sunday demanding affordable housing as the market continues to be squeezed in Spain’s capital.
The Sindicato de Inquilinas tenants union, supported by 40 other neighbourhood and tenant organisations, spearheaded the march, which started in Atocha Street.
The protest was punctuated by protesters holding banners saying, « lower prices » and individuals chanting slogans such as, « If prices do not fall, rent strike. »
Tenant union spokesperson Valeria Racu warned landlords and real estate firms that their « impunity is over, » while hinting at a possible rent strike.
« If you keep raising prices, we will stop paying them, and there will be no police, courts, or thugs to evict us all, » she said.
Demands for action
Protesters directed their anger at government officials as well as landlords. They called for the resignation of Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez and accused her of inaction during the housing crisis.
President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, was also targeted for opposing the national housing law — approved landmark legislation aimed at capping sky-high rents and addressing the housing crisis.
At the protest, Paloma López Bermejo, secretary-general of Spain’s largest trade union CCOO, urged Ayuso to stop opposing the law and to act on the issue.
Neither politician commented publicly on the recent remarks.
Impact on tenants
More than half of a worker’s salary in the city goes towards housing, and it’s severely affecting residents’ quality of life, according to CCOO. This difficulty is compounded with low wages.
The protest also targeted the vulture funds — an investment company that invests in properties performing poorly and therefore undervalued.
Speakers accused them of evicting long-time residents without offering alternatives, pointing out specific buildings owned by these funds and highlighting the threat they pose to affordable housing.
This rally in Madrid is part of a broader movement, with similar protests planned in cities such as Barcelona, Valencia and Malaga.
Organisers like the Platform for the Right to Housing have been working at a grassroots level to unite communities in the fight for affordable housing.
Despite the introduction of a State Housing Law and other measures, protesters argue that these initiatives are not enough to curb rising housing costs. They’re demanding stricter controls on evictions, more regulation on rent prices, and greater investment in social housing.
