The Spanish government said around 70,000 people took part in protests in Madrid, where police arrested three people whom they said belonged to a far-right group and fired rubber bullets following tensions in the city center.
According to the government, far-right activists, some of whom performed Nazi salutes, attempted to reach protesters who were staging a sit-in at Puerta del Sol over the housing crisis.
Protesters held banners calling for a general strike after parliament on Friday rejected measures aimed at addressing growing anger over the housing crisis, including the case of an 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her home in Madrid.
Valeria Raco, a spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, said the call for a general strike would be put forward following talks with trade unions.
In Valencia, clashes broke out between protesters and police, who used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Around 30 protesters also entered the City of Arts and Sciences building before police managed to remove them, while protests in around 50 Spanish cities took place peacefully.
Protests scheduled to take place in Barcelona and the neighboring city of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat were canceled due to heavy rain.
The protests come amid reports in Spanish media that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez could call an early election in November after legislation addressing the housing crisis stalled.
According to the government, far-right activists, some of whom performed Nazi salutes, attempted to reach protesters who were staging a sit-in at Puerta del Sol over the housing crisis.
Protesters held banners calling for a general strike after parliament on Friday rejected measures aimed at addressing growing anger over the housing crisis, including the case of an 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her home in Madrid.
Valeria Raco, a spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, said the call for a general strike would be put forward following talks with trade unions.
In Valencia, clashes broke out between protesters and police, who used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Around 30 protesters also entered the City of Arts and Sciences building before police managed to remove them, while protests in around 50 Spanish cities took place peacefully.
Protests scheduled to take place in Barcelona and the neighboring city of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat were canceled due to heavy rain.
The protests come amid reports in Spanish media that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez could call an early election in November after legislation addressing the housing crisis stalled.
