Tens of thousands protest against Spain's housing crisis following eviction of 87-year-old woman

Live updates

1. 52m ago

   Spain Calls Snap Election Following Nationwide Housing Protests

   Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called a snap election for November following mass demonstrations across the country over a severe housing crisis. More than 50 protests erupted after opposition lawmakers joined forces to defeat the Socialist-led coalition government's emergency housing legislation and eviction freeze. Demonstrations drew tens of thousands of participants to the streets of Madrid and other cities, culminating in clashes between police and hardcore activists in Barcelona. The government subsequently approved urgent housing measures.

   Why it matters

   Public outrage intensified last month after the televised eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid. Spain's average rent has nearly doubled over the past decade, while more than a quarter of renters spend 40% of their income on housing. The political standoff highlights deep legislative divisions over housing affordability and renters' rights.

   What is confirmed

   • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called an early election for November.
   • Opposition lawmakers defeated emergency legislation and an eviction freeze proposed by the Socialist-led coalition.
   • Tens of thousands of people protested against the housing crisis in Madrid and other cities across Spain.
   • Spain's average rent has nearly doubled in a decade, and more than a quarter of renters spend 40% of their income on housing.
   • The Spanish government approved urgent housing measures following a night of unrest and clashes between protesters and police in Barcelona.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Nearly 500,000 people participated in the protest in Madrid.

   What to watch next

   • Implementation and parliamentary reception of the newly approved urgent housing measures
   • Political party campaigns and voter turnout in the upcoming November snap election
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. The New York Times — Spanish Lawmakers Reject Eviction Freeze, Spurring Calls for Early Elections
   2. www.theguardian.com — Spanish right wing votes down housing crisis plans as protest movement grows
   3. Financial Times — The right and wrong lessons to learn from Spain’s housing crisis
   4. BBC — Protesters across Spain demand action over housing crisis
   5. Reuters — Tens of thousands protest across Spain over housing crisis
   6. dw.com — Spain: Massive protests after housing bills voted down
   7. Sky News — Tens of thousands protest against Spain's housing crisis following eviction of 87-year-old woman
   8. Euronews.com — Nearly 500,000 people protest in Madrid over Spain's housing crisis
   9. The Guardian — ‘This can’t go on’: tens of thousands protest against housing crisis in Spain
   10. Al Jazeera — Spain protests flare after housing bill rejected: Will it cause snap poll?
   11. www.theguardian.com — ‘This can’t go on’: tens of thousands protest against housing ...
   12. AP News — Tens of thousands protest in Madrid over Spain’s housing crisis
   confidence 90%