Spain Housing Crisis: Protests Erupt Ahead of Key Government Vote

Spanish lawmakers are due to vote on Friday on two government housing decrees drawn up after an outcry over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, with their passage in doubt. Several hundred people held raucous protests in Madrid and other Spanish cities ahead of the vote, with demonstrators rattling keys, blowing whistles, and banging spoons against pots. The protests reflect widespread anger over soaring housing costs, evictions, and a lack of affordable housing. The government's decrees aim to address these issues, but critics argue they do not go far enough. The vote is seen as a crucial test for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's administration, which has faced mounting pressure to tackle the housing crisis. As the nation waits for the outcome, the protests underscore the deep frustration among Spaniards over the cost of living and the need for urgent action to ensure housing is a right, not a luxury.