Key facts
- Protests against evictions and the housing crisis have escalated in Madrid.
- An 87-year-old tenant, Maricarmen Abascal, was forcibly removed from her home.
- Thousands marched through the capital on Saturday.
- Sánchez plans to approve a housing bill at Tuesday's Council of Ministers meeting.
- The draft bill proposes extending eviction protections for vulnerable tenants through 2028.
- The bill may cap rent increases at 2% in certain cases and offer tax breaks.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is facing mounting pressure from protests and his own allies to address the country's housing crisis, particularly after the eviction of an elderly tenant. Thousands marched in Madrid, with some pitching tents in Puerto del Sol square, demanding stronger government action.
Maricarmen Abascal, 87, was forcibly removed from her home of nearly 70 years after the building was bought by an investment firm that imposed new rental demands. Sánchez, who called the eviction a "social tragedy," is now pushing to approve a long-delayed housing bill. However, crafting legislation that can pass parliament is proving difficult, as the bill must balance the demands of conservative parties on landowners' rights with the more progressive demands of his left-wing coalition partners.
The draft bill reportedly includes extending eviction protections for vulnerable tenants until 2028, capping rent increases at 2% in some areas, and offering tax breaks. It also aims to curb speculative home purchases and increase taxes on short-term tourist rentals. These proposals are seen by some as insufficient, with the smaller coalition partner, Sumar, and protest organizers calling for more ambitious measures, such as automatic rental contract renewals and a rent freeze.
Political scientist Pablo Simón described the protests as "devastating" for Sánchez, warning that failure to energize the left-wing electorate could jeopardize his political survival ahead of key elections.