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Tens of thousands of people took part in demonstrations across Spain on Saturday in protest against a lack of affordable housing.<\/p>\n
Several tenants’ organizations and trade unions called for the demonstrations in around 40 cities, including Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona and Madrid, under the slogan: “Lets put an end to profiteering from homes.”<\/p>\n
The organizers called for an end to property speculation, more social housing, restrictions on converting housing to holiday accommodation, rent reductions and expropriations.<\/p>\n
According to media reports, 150,000 protesters turned out in the capital Madrid.<\/p>\n
For years, too little housing has been built in Spain as rents have risen sharply.<\/p>\n
The consequences of mass and luxury tourism have caused anger, especially in holiday centres like Mallorca, Barcelona, Valencia, M\u00e1laga and Madrid.<\/p>\n
While tourist numbers continue to break records in Spain, residents on low incomes are unable to afford rents.<\/p>\n
According to the real estate agency Fotocasa, rents on the Balearic Islands, which include Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza, have risen by 158% in the last 10 years.<\/p>\n