Widespread Public Anger Shakes Spain: Are Early Elections Approaching in November?

Tens of thousands took to the streets across Spain on Saturday to demand measures addressing the housing crisis, while clashes with police occurred in Madrid and Valencia.

The Spanish government stated that approximately 70,000 people participated in the Madrid protests, where police arrested three individuals identified as members of a far-right group and fired rubber bullets following tensions in the city center.

According to the government, far-right activists, some of whom performed Nazi salutes, attempted to reach protesters who were camping in Puerta del Sol square to demonstrate against the housing crisis.

Demonstrators held banners calling for a general strike after Parliament rejected measures aimed at handling the escalating anger over the housing shortage, including the case of an 87-year-old woman evicted from her home in Madrid.

Valeria Raco, spokesperson for the Tenants' Union, said the call for a general strike would be put forward after discussions with labor unions.

In Valencia, clashes erupted between protesters and police, who used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the demonstrations.

Additionally, around 30 protesters entered the City of Arts and Sciences building before police managed to remove them, while protests in approximately 50 other Spanish cities proceeded peacefully.

Planned protests in Barcelona and neighboring L'Hospitalet de Llobregat were canceled due to heavy rain.

The protests come amid reports in Spanish media suggesting that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez might call for early elections in November, following the failure to pass legislation related to the housing crisis.