Protesters angered by Spain’s chronic housing crisis and the eviction of a pensioner camped in central Madrid for a third night on Monday, maintaining pressure on the government ahead of a key cabinet meeting.
Over the past decade, the average rental price per square metre in Spain has almost doubled, reaching 15.10 euros per square metre in August, according to real estate portal Idealista. For buyers, it now stands at 2,355 euros, an increase of more than 50 percent over the same period, according to official figures.
“We are demanding that this decree-law be enacted, to protect the right to housing and prevent evictions,” said Carlota, a 29-year-old protester who spent Sunday night in Sol, a busy square normally full of commuters and tourists. “We are living through a serious situation in Spain right now,” said Carlota, calling for “an end to putting capital and investment funds before people”. “We don’t want sticking plasters… we want decent housing so that what happened to Maricarmen doesn’t happen again,” said Arcarazo, demanding a rent freeze, indefinite contracts and anti-eviction measures.
But his coalition lacks a majority in parliament, making the success of any such initiative unclear, while a similar housing bill was defeated earlier this year. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government is seeking agreement on a new housing package to present to cabinet on Tuesday amid growing pressure over rising housing costs.
