Protests in Madrid and Beyond
Thousands protested in under the slogan "Housing is a right, not a business," demanding lower rental prices and better living conditions, with the estimating 12,000 participants.
Separate demonstrations in Barcelona and other regions, like the and , criticized events and trends increasing tourist rentals, exacerbating local housing shortages.
Government Actions and Public Response
In response to the housing crisis, Spain's government announced a crackdown on unlicensed short-term and seasonal holiday lettings, targeting platforms like and .
Protesters argue that gentrification and the shift of landlord focus to more profitable tourist rentals have led to unaffordable rents, pushing locals out of their cities.