Demonstrators in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square vowed to sustain pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez over the country’s housing crisis, as 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, whose eviction from her lifelong apartment sparked nationwide outrage, urged protesters to “hold on.” The movement, which began after Abascal’s eviction on Wednesday, saw over 100 tents erected in the capital’s bustling square, following mass protests on Saturday demanding measures to curb rising housing costs. Abascal, hospitalized after her forced removal, became a symbol of resistance against Spain’s unaffordable housing market, where rental prices have surged by nearly 100% over the past decade, reaching 15.10 euros per square metre in August, according to real estate portal Idealista.
Abascal’s eviction, triggered by a 275% rent hike to 2,650 euros ($3,000) by a real estate firm, ignited widespread condemnation. The images of her being carried from her home on a stretcher after police intervention amplified public anger, coinciding with Spain’s approaching elections. Protesters like 29-year-old Carlota emphasized the urgency of enacting a government bill targeting automatic rental contract renewals and eviction restrictions, though Sánchez’s party faces challenges securing parliamentary approval. Meanwhile, 37-year-old Beatriz Blanco highlighted the crisis’s personal toll, citing friends forced into precarious living situations due to unaffordable rents, calling property prices “completely insane.”
Prime Minister Sánchez, criticized for failing to curb housing costs since 2018, plans to unveil a new housing bill on Tuesday, urging cross-party support. However, his government lacks a parliamentary majority, and a similar proposal was rejected earlier this year. Activists, including Madrid Tenants’ Union spokesperson Miriam Bue, dismissed the right-wing Popular Party’s role in housing policy, advocating for “open-ended rental contracts” instead of current five-year terms. Bue warned that without legislative action, the movement would escalate, as protesters vowed to remain in Puerta del Sol for at least another night. The government’s efforts will face intense scrutiny as the crisis deepens, with over 2,355 euros now the average home price—a 50% increase since 2013, according to official data.
The protests underscore a broader national struggle against economic inequality, with tenants and buyers alike grappling with unsustainable costs. As Sánchez prepares to visit a social housing project in Barcelona, demonstrators plan a separate rally near the Congress Palace, where he is set to attend an awards ceremony. The movement’s momentum reflects growing public frustration, with Abascal’s case serving as a rallying point for those demanding systemic change. The coming weeks will test whether political will can match the urgency of Spain’s housing emergency, as activists insist on prioritizing human needs over financial interests.