Housing crisis demonstrations across Spain protest against soaring rents and rejection of government ordinance

[Paris Current Affairs] On the 3rd, large numbers of citizens across Spain took to the streets in protest demonstrations in the face of a critical housing shortage and soaring rent prices. According to local media, 500,000 people (authorities estimate 70,000) will gather in the capital, Madrid, as announced by organizers. In eastern Valencia, some demonstrators clashed with police and were detained.

Spain's prime minister considers bringing forward general elections, housing crisis measures rejected in lower house

On the 2nd, the House of Representatives rejected the approval of a government ordinance enacted by the government to protect socially vulnerable people from the housing crisis, with a majority of opposition parties voting against it. While protesting against this, the demonstrators also complained that the government was responsible for (the crisis) and put pressure on Prime Minister Sánchez, who is considering an early general election.

In Madrid, an 87-year-old pensioner was forced to leave her apartment in late September because she could not pay the skyrocketing rent. This sparked anger among young people and low-income families suffering from housing shortages, and protests broke out. The woman was allowed to return to her former home, but after the ordinance was rejected, the demonstrations gained momentum.