In Madrid, the number of tents in a protest against the housing crisis exceeded a thousand

The number of tents in the camp of participants protesting against the housing crisis in the central square of Puerta del Sol in Madrid has exceeded a thousand and continues to grow, a RIA Novosti correspondent reports.

Mass protests against the housing crisis began in Madrid after the high-profile eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her rented apartment. The Spanish government responded by approving two decrees with measures to protect tenants, including extending protection against evictions and automatically renewing leases. The Congress of Deputies (lower house of parliament) is due to consider the documents on Friday.

By Wednesday evening, about 1,200 tent structures had been erected in the square, volunteers from the tenants' union (Sindicato de Inquilinas) told the agency. Back on September 26, when the camp was just beginning to take shape after a massive demonstration for affordable housing, there were only a few dozen tents in sight.

Tents occupy almost the entire central part of Puerta del Sol. The camp has reached the metro entrances and is gradually expanding towards the adjacent Arenal and Preciados streets. At the same time, the participants left the main passages for pedestrians free.

Among the camp participants there are many students and working residents of Madrid, so the composition of the protesters constantly changes throughout the day. Students go to classes in the morning and return to the square after studying, and working participants leave the camp for the duration of their shift and come back in the evening. Due to this rotation, the camp remains full almost around the clock.