Hundreds camp in Madrid as Spain's housing protests intensify

Protests against Spain's housing crisis, backed by left-leaning civil society groups, continue. Hundreds of people who have camped in tents at Madrid's Sol Square since Sept. 26 await a Cabinet decision expected Sept. 29.

Alicia del Rio, a spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants' Union, stated that the group's top demand is an indefinite extension of leases tied to the consumer price index (CPI), provided renters fulfill their obligations. Rental contracts in Spain currently run for a maximum of 5 or 7 years.

Del Rio said the movement will expand to other Spanish cities. "We took to the streets with mass participation. And this is happening not only in Madrid but also in many other regions of the country. Now is the time to turn these demands into reality and move toward a new housing model. We will continue the struggle," she added.

Artists also backed the demonstration at Sol Square, one of the symbolic sites of protests in Spain. The gathering recalled weeks of demonstrations that the Outraged movement launched on May 15, 2011, against the economic crisis.

Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodovar joined the protest at Sol Square. Almodovar told Spanish broadcaster RTVE: "Mari Carmen was the last straw … Those with political responsibility must solve this problem, because they are the ones who govern us. The housing problem that keeps many young people from starting independent lives is paralyzing Spain."

Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), the senior partner in the minority left-wing coalition government, continues talks to persuade junior partner Sumar Alliance, an insistent advocate of tough measures, and the small parties that back the government from outside.

Key items in the political negotiations include banning investment funds from buying homes, an income tax cut for renters, blocking forced evictions, capping rent increases, building state-backed housing and giving direct financial aid to first-time homeowners.

Spain's main opposition, the conservative People's Party (PP), and far-right Vox said they will withhold support for the government, though neither has seen the package of measures on the crisis yet.

Sympathetic to the protests, the government is expected to issue a royal decree that takes effect once published in the Official Gazette. Parliament must ratify it within 30 days for the decree to become permanent. 

Rejection of the decree could bring down the government and force early general elections, normally set for spring 2027.

PP, Vox and Together for Catalonia (Junts), a party that has recently withdrawn its backing, voted against all 3 bills the administration brought to Parliament in this legislative term to halt forced evictions, blocking them from becoming law.