Tens of thousands rally in Madrid over housing crisis

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Madrid on Saturday to demand greater protections for tenants amid Spain's deepening housing crisis, France 24 reported.

The demonstration was sparked by the eviction of an elderly woman who was forced from her lifelong home after her rent nearly quadrupled, a case that has resonated widely across Spain, according to the report.

Rising rents blamed on tourism pressure

Many Spaniards attending the protest said rising rents, which they attribute in part to pressure from tourism, are making cities increasingly unaffordable for long-term residents. The demonstration reflects growing frustration in Spain over housing costs that have outpaced wages in several major cities.

France 24 correspondent Morgan Ayre covered the protest, though the report did not specify the exact number of participants beyond describing the crowd as numbering in the tens of thousands, nor did it detail specific policy demands presented to authorities.

Housing affordability has become a significant political issue in Spain in recent years, with tenant advocacy groups pushing for stronger rent controls and protections against eviction in cities where tourism-driven demand has pushed up housing costs.