Thousands protested this Saturday in around 50 cities in Spain demanding lower rents. In Madrid, the Government Delegation estimated attendance at over 70,000 people, while organisers claimed it was 500,000.
Thousands took to the streets this Saturday in 50 cities in Spain to protest against housing prices and demand measures to reduce rental costs. In Madrid, the Government Delegation estimated attendance at over 70,000 people, while organisers raised the figure to 500,000, according to notigram.com.
The mobilisations took place despite rain and bad weather in various regions. Among the main demands of the protesters were to halve rents, expropriate properties held by investment funds, and establish indefinite rental contracts.
"Now it's time for a general strike"
This was the main slogan of the protests, with which the organisers aim to pressure the main unions to call for a national mobilisation. The organisations noted that a potential strike would require consensus among the labour unions and currently has no set date.
The protests occurred a day after the Congress of Deputies rejected two decrees proposed by the government of Pedro Sánchez to address the housing problem. The movement believes that this legislative rejection demonstrates a lack of solutions to the rising housing costs.
Most of the mobilisations took place peacefully, although incidents were reported in Valencia. A group of protesters attempted to enter a real estate sector event and broke part of the security fence, prompting the intervention of riot police.
The confrontation resulted in five young people arrested and seven police officers with minor injuries, according to the reported balance. In other cities such as Palma de Mallorca, Santander, Bilbao, and Tenerife, thousands also joined the mobilisations to demand changes in housing policies.
The organisers have not yet set a date for a possible general strike, which will depend on an agreement among the unions.
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