Tens of thousands protest in Spain after housing measures rejected
Protesters rallied in Madrid and other Spanish cities on Saturday after parliament rejected government measures aimed at addressing the housing crisis.
Madrid, Spain. Tens of thousands of people protested in Madrid and other Spanish cities on Saturday, demanding action on a worsening housing crisis after opposition lawmakers rejected government measures. The Spanish government said about 70,000 people attended the Madrid demonstration.
Housing measures rejected
Parliament rejected the measures on Friday. They had been drawn up to address widespread anger over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid and other housing issues.
Some demonstrators carried posters calling for a general strike.
“It’s a shame,” said Nando de Anguulo, 26, who attended the Madrid protest. “It only proves that it is us the people who have to adapt to the political parties, and not the politicians to what the people want, and this can’t go on like that.”
Reports of a possible snap election
Spanish media reported on Friday that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez might call a snap election for November after the legislation failed to pass. The reports said he would assess the strength of Saturday’s protests before making a decision.
Sanchez’s office declined to comment on the reports.
Clashes in Valencia
In the southeastern city of Valencia, demonstrators clashed with police on Saturday. Officers fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protests.
About 30 protesters entered the City of Arts and Sciences, a landmark cultural building, before police removed them.
Other demonstrations in 50 Spanish cities were peaceful.
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