Madrid (AFP) - Spanish police removed from Monday to Tuesday a camp that had been set up by activists demanding the right to housing for more than five weeks in a square in central Madrid, authorities and organizers of the movement announced.
Published on: 03/11/2026 - 08:49
Sources from the government delegation in Madrid reported that “the process of evacuating the Puerta del Sol camp was completed without friction or violent incidents,” noting that 334 people were evacuated and two people were arrested on charges of “disobedience.”
On the other hand, some of the movement's organizers complained via the Telegram application about "violent police intervention" that left a number of people injured due to "beatings" and the use of tear gas.
Government sources indicated that "220 members of the National Police, 180 members of the Madrid Municipal Police, and teams from firefighters and social services participated in implementing the plan."
In late September, an 87-year-old woman was forced to leave her home in Madrid due to her inability to pay the rent, which had risen more than five times. It sparked a wave of discontent and widespread demonstrations throughout Spain, and led to a political crisis. Her death in the hospital also caused great emotion.
Parliament's rejection of two draft laws on housing submitted by the leftist government in response to this crisis prompted Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to call for early elections on November 29.
© 2026 AFP
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