The number of tents at the protest camp in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square has exceeded 1,000 and continues to grow as demonstrations against Spain’s housing crisis intensify, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
Mass protests against the housing crisis began in Madrid following the high-profile eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her rented apartment. In response, the Spanish government approved two decrees with measures to protect tenants, including extending protection from evictions and automatic renewal of rental contracts. The Congress of Deputies, the lower house of the parliament, is scheduled to review the decrees on Friday.
By Wednesday evening, approximately 1,200 tents had been set up in the square, volunteers from Sindicato de Inquilinas told RIA Novosti.
The tents occupy almost the entire central part of Puerta del Sol. The camp has reached the metro entrances and is gradually expanding toward the adjacent Arenal and Preciados streets.
The activists intend to remain in the center of the Spanish capital at least until Friday, when the Congress of Deputies will vote on the decrees.
