Key facts
- Housing activists have set up over 1,200 tents in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square.
- Rents in Spain have surged 80% in a decade, and housing costs have risen 63%.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap general election.
- The election is expected to be a high-stakes gamble, with polls suggesting a rightwing coalition is likely.
- Activists are demanding measures to address the housing crisis and are considering a general strike.
Housing activists have established a large encampment in Madrid's central Puerta del Sol square, drawing significant attention to Spain's escalating housing affordability crisis. The movement, which gained national prominence after the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her home, has prompted Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call a snap general election.
Sélpide San Luis, a 26-year-old activist whose social media videos document the encampment, described the rapid organization of the protest, noting the establishment of urban planning, named streets, and surveillance systems within the makeshift city of over 1,200 tents. She highlighted that the protests have finally brought the housing issue to the forefront of public discussion.
The snap election, which did not need to be held until August 2027, is seen as a risky move for Sánchez. Polls suggest a potential rightwing coalition between the People's party and the anti-immigration Vox party could win. However, the protests also present an opportunity for Sánchez to rally support around the housing crisis and keep his leftwing coalition in power.
Alicia del Río of the Madrid Tenants’ Union called for a general strike in November and questioned lawmakers' commitment to addressing the public's housing demands versus the interests of the 'rentier economy.' Antonio Prieto, a volunteer at the camp, expressed hope that the momentum would push leftwing parties to develop real solutions, stating that waiting until 2027 would have allowed the rightwing to suppress the movement.
The eviction of Abascal, a wheelchair user, served as a catalyst, highlighting the intense competition for housing in Spain, exacerbated by tourism, investment funds, and short-term rentals. Although the investment firm that bought Abascal's home reportedly offered her a way back without a substantial rent increase, the protests have continued to grow, with participants viewing their presence as a "moral duty" given the constitutional right to adequate housing.
Juan Vázquez of the Housing Union of Carabanchel noted broad public support for the encampment, with people of all ages offering assistance and encouragement. He criticized both the rightwing's "policies of misery" and Sánchez's government for not curbing speculative rentier profits. Vázquez emphasized the importance of channeling the movement's energy into organizing and securing rights, particularly through working-class organization.
Jorge Rubio, 27, stressed the stakes involved, warning that not voting could lead to losing one's home, citing a dramatic increase in room rental prices. He also noted that the housing crisis is a European issue, suggesting the movement needs to extend beyond Spain.