Tens of thousands protest across Spain over housing crisis
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Protesters carry a banner that reads "Towards the general strike" as they demand political action to stop evictions and alleviate the housing crisis, in Madrid, Spain, on Oct 3.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Tens of thousands protested across Spain on Oct 3 demanding action on the housing crisis after government measures were rejected in parliament.
- Some protesters called for a general strike, while clashes with police occurred in Valencia involving rubber bullets and tear gas.
- Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez may call a snap election in November, reportedly monitoring protest strength before deciding, though his office declined to comment.
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MADRID - Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid and other Spanish cities on Oct 3 as they stepped up demands for action to tackle a mounting housing crisis after government measures were struck down by the opposition.
Some demonstrators waved posters calling for a general strike after the measures drawn up to address mass anger over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, and other housing issues, were rejected in parliament on Oct 2.
“It's a shame,” said Nando de Anguulo, 26, who joined the Oct 3 protest in Madrid. “It only proves that it is us the people who have to adapt to the political parties, and not the politicians to what the people want, and this can’t go on like that.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez might call a snap election for November after the legislation failed to pass, Spanish media reported on Oct 2, and would be watching the strength of Oct 3 protests before making a decision.
Sanchez’s office refused to comment on the reports.
In the southeastern city of Valencia, demonstrators clashed on Oct 3 with police who fired rubber bullets and tear gas to break up protests.
About 30 protesters managed to get inside the City of Arts and Sciences, a landmark cultural building in the city, before they were ousted by police. Other demonstrations in 50 Spanish cities were peaceful.
About 70,000 protesters took part in the demonstration in Madrid, the Spanish government said on Oct 3. REUTERS