Approximately 150 tents filled the square on Sunday as multi-generational families joined a sit-in that demonstrators vow to maintain until at least Tuesday, when the Spanish government is scheduled to convene.
Banners stretched across the plaza demanding “Affordable housing”, “Right to Housing at a fair price” and “Not one more Maricarmen”, underscoring broader calls for rent freezes, stronger tenant protections, and an end to evictions without alternative accommodation.
Maricarmen had resided in the same Madrid flat for roughly 70 years, after her father signed the lease in 1956. The Madrid Tenants’ Union says the property was later purchased by an investment fund, which raised her rent from €500 to €2,650 a month before reducing it to €1,650. Police ultimately evicted her on Wednesday following several attempts; she was hospitalized due to exhaustion during the operation.
Her case has become emblematic of Spain’s deepening housing crisis. The Bank of Spain estimated a shortage of around 550,000 homes last year, while publicly subsidized rental housing accounts for less than 2% of the nation’s stock, compared with an EU average of 8%.
Authorities estimated Saturday’s march drew around 25,000 people, while the Madrid Tenants’ Union placed turnout at more than 300,000.
