Nearly 500,000 people protest in Madrid over Spain's housing crisis
Massive protests erupted across Spain, with 500,000 people in Madrid demanding lower rents and stronger tenant protections. The demonstrations follow the government's rejection of housing decrees and include calls for a general strike.
Why it matters
The housing crisis is a major socio-economic issue in Europe, reflecting growing public frustration with rising costs of living and real estate investment practices.
Demonstrators are marching in several Spanish cities on Saturday, a day after parliament voted down two government decrees aimed at giving tenants stronger protection.In Madrid, according to the organisers, around 500,000 people took part in the demonstrations, while the authorities put the number at around 70,000. Activists have been camped for about a week in Puerta del Sol, one of the capital's main tourist squares.Participants could be seen carrying placards reading "General strike" and chanting slogans such as "Down with rentierism".The protest remained peaceful, under a visible police presence.
Also covering this story
8 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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