The wave of pot-banging protests marks a new phase in public frustration with Spain's housing affordability crisis. The demonstrations follow a series of large protests last week triggered by the eviction of an elderly woman, which drew thousands into the streets in cities including Madrid and Barcelona.
The Spanish government has responded with an anti-eviction decree, blaming what it calls "savage speculation" for driving up rents and forcing tenants from their homes. However, critics of the measure argue that the new rules leave small landlords "out in the cold," potentially reducing the supply of rental properties and deepening the crisis.
The decree is part of a broader effort to curb rising housing costs, but its effectiveness remains the subject of heated debate. Meanwhile, the protests continue to spread, with social media showing coordinated pot-banging actions in numerous neighbourhoods, reflecting a growing grassroots movement demanding affordable housing.