Thousands March in Madrid Against Housing Crisis

Thousands March in Madrid Against Housing Crisis

Tens of thousands of people marched through Madrid on Saturday to protest the city’s housing crisis. The demonstration was one of the largest housing protests Spain has seen this year.

Official estimates put the crowd at around 70,000 people. The tenants’ union, which helped organize the march, said the real number was closer to 500,000, according to the newspaper El Pais.

The demonstrators marched to one of the central squares of the Spanish capital, where the city hall is located. Their main slogan was “On the way to a general strike,” signaling that more action could follow if their demands are ignored.

Protesters are angry about soaring rents and a shortage of affordable homes. Many say ordinary workers can no longer afford to live in the city where they work. Similar housing protests have spread across other Spanish cities in recent months.

Housing has become one of the most pressing social issues in Spain. Rents in Madrid and Barcelona have risen far faster than wages, and young people in particular are struggling to find homes they can afford.

The organizers are calling on the government to take stronger steps, including rent controls and more public housing. So far, the government has not announced new measures in response to the march.

The march’s slogan — “On the way to a general strike” — suggests the movement is preparing for bigger action. Organizers say the protest is only the first step, and they are ready to escalate if housing policy does not change.

Sources:
– https://en.iz.ru/en/2178275/2026-10-04/what-happened-night-october-4th-main-thing