Protesters block streets in Barcelona to pressure Spanish government over housing decree

Housing rights protesters kicked off a series of demonstrations in Barcelona on Monday morning to pressure the Spanish government into approving the housing decree.

Street blockades were set up by demonstrators early in the morning.

One group blocked Avinguda Meridiana at the entrance to the city, while another did the same on Carrer Còrsega and headed toward Avinguda Diagonal, though police officers prevented them from passing.

Another blockade also took place in the Sants neighborhood on Carrer de Creu Coberta. All road blocks were lifted by 9 am. 

"If they try to push a new sham decree or more empty announcements on us tomorrow, the mobilizations will continue," warned Enric Aragonès, spokesperson for the Tenants' Union, speaking from the protest on Carrer Còrsega.

Aragonès stated that this Monday "cannot be a normal day" and reiterated the call to attend the rally scheduled for this afternoon in Barcelona at the Palau de Congressos, where Prime Minister Sánchez is expected to appear.

The Tenants' Union spokesperson demanded that the housing decree must include the automatic renewal of contracts or indefinite contracts, a rent freeze for the duration of the lease, a mechanism to suspend evictions of vulnerable individuals, and a reform of the Urban Leases Act to put an end to "scams" involving short-term seasonal rentals.

"People are tired of living in insecurity and fear, never knowing when you’ll have to pack your bags again, never knowing if you’ll encounter a court bailiff or the police evicting you from your home because a vulture fund's profit matters more," he said.

He noted that the first step is for the Council of Ministers to approve this housing decree, followed by its ratification in Congress. "We have set our sights, with growing momentum and increasing public support, on a general strike for the rights of working people and the right to housing, after all, they are one and the same," he said.