Thousands Protest in Madrid Over Housing Crisis and Rising Rents

In central Madrid, thousands of people gathered to protest, urging the government to implement immediate measures addressing the surge in rental prices and the ongoing housing crisis.

The demonstration was organized by the Madrid Tenants’ Union under the slogan "Housing costs us our lives. Lower the rents." It received backing from Spain’s two main trade unions: the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the Workers’ Commissions (CCOO). Organizers claimed that over 100,000 individuals took part in the march, while the central government estimated the turnout at 23,000.

Before the march began, Unai Sordo, the Secretary General of the Workers’ Commissions, told reporters that "some housing policies are moving in the right direction, but progress is slow while the housing crisis worsens rapidly."

Housing remains a major concern for Spaniards due to rising demand driven by tourism and population growth linked to immigration, whereas the supply of rental properties remains limited. According to the real estate portal Idealista, the average rent in Spain has more than doubled over the past decade, far outpacing wage growth.