Can Sánchez convince Spanish voters he is their best hope for fairer housing?

Housing activists in Madrid have established over 1,200 tents in Puerta del Sol square to protest the housing crisis, bringing the issue to national attention. This movement gained momentum following the eviction of an elderly tenant, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call an early general election. Activists aim to leverage public support and the election campaign to push for legislative changes addressing soaring rents and housing costs. While the election presents a risk for Sánchez, with polls suggesting a potential rightwing victory, it also offers an opportunity to focus on housing demands. The protests highlight a perceived violation of the constitutional right to adequate housing and seek to influence political parties to implement solutions.

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Spanish pensioner, has died, according to the Madrid Tenants' Union. In September, Abascal was forcibly removed from her apartment of over 70 years on a stretcher after being unable to afford a significant rent increase. The company that owned the property had raised her rent from €500 to €2,650 per month. Although the company later offered to let her return at a lower rate, she was hospitalized and unable to sign an agreement. Abascal's eviction became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis, sparking nationwide protests and a political row that led to early elections. The union stated her situation marked a "turning point" and attributed her death to "speculation costs."

Spain's two largest unions, the UGT and CCOO, have announced a nationwide general strike for November 11 to protest housing issues. This marks the first joint strike by these unions in 14 years. The strike comes weeks before a snap election where rising rents and evictions are significant campaign topics. Unions cite that housing costs consume a large portion of wages, outpacing minimum wage increases. Spain faces a substantial housing deficit, with average rents consuming nearly all of a young person's monthly salary. The announcement follows protests triggered by the eviction of an elderly tenant in Madrid, who became a symbol of the housing crisis after her rent was drastically increased by an investment fund.

Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, has died, according to Madrid's tenants' union. Her dramatic eviction on September 23 from her home of over 70 years, where she was removed by stretcher by police and social workers, had previously ignited widespread housing protests in Spain. These protests ultimately contributed to an early election. Abascal had been hospitalized since her eviction. Her death has prompted significant grief and anger among activists in the capital, who have continued to protest, including through camping.