Demonstrators are preparing to march in more than 50 cities across Spain this Saturday, marking a significant public backlash one day after parliament rejected two government decrees designed to bolster tenant rights. The protests, coordinated by the Tenants' Union, reflect deepening public frustration, with the organization stating, "There is an irreparable disconnect between what the people want and what the parties vote for."
In Madrid, protesters are scheduled to assemble at various locations at noon before converging on the central Plaza de Cibeles. Activists have already maintained a week-long encampment at Puerta del Sol, one of the city's primary tourist hubs. This wave of unrest was largely ignited by the recent eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was removed on a stretcher from the flat she had occupied for approximately seven decades. The property had been acquired by an investment firm that attempted to raise her rent by 275 percent. Following widespread public outcry, the new owners ultimately permitted her to return at a lower rental rate.
The government’s rejected legislative package sought to address these issues by automatically renewing expired rental contracts and limiting evictions for vulnerable tenants. Furthermore, the decrees targeted "vulture funds"—investment firms accused of purchasing properties at low prices to drive up returns. The failure of these measures, which were blocked by the Catalan separatist party Junts due to alleged lack of rigor, represents a major political blow to Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The defeat has fueled speculation regarding the stability of his minority government ahead of the 2027 general election.
Housing affordability remains a critical concern for Spaniards, as demand continues to outpace supply. According to data from the real estate website Idealista, average rents have nearly doubled over the past decade, while asking prices for homes have climbed by approximately 90 percent.
The government drew up its measures in response to the nationwide protests that followed. The package rejected on Friday would have renewed rental contracts automatically when they expired and restricted evictions of vulnerable tenants. It also took aim at so-called vulture funds, investment firms that buy properties cheaply in pursuit of higher returns.
