Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid and approximately 50 other Spanish cities on Saturday to demand affordable housing. The demonstrations were fueled by anger after lawmakers narrowly rejected two government decrees put forward by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to strengthen protection for tenants and address a mounting housing crisis.
The protests were sparked by soaring rents, which have nearly doubled in ten years, and the eviction of an 87-year-old woman following a 275% rent increase. Demonstrators stepped up demands for action to tackle the crisis, with some calling for a general strike after parliament failed to pass the proposed relief measures on Friday.
Turnout estimates for the marches in Madrid ranged from 70,000 to 500,000 people. This deepening crisis has placed significant pressure on the minority government, and Spanish media reports suggest that Prime Minister Sánchez might call a snap election for November following the legislative failure.