🔻After Spain’s government proposal to address the escalating housing crisis was rejected, protesters in the country said they would return to the streets again and continue their sit-in in Madrid.

On Friday, Spain’s lawmakers rejected two government bills by 178 votes against and 172 in favor. After that, protesters gathered outside the Spanish parliament building in Madrid while chanting “Your profits are the cause of our misery.”

The problem of rising housing costs and people’s ability to pay housing expenses has been one of Spain’s most important social issues for years, but about a week ago, the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old tenant woman who had lived in the apartment for more than seven decades, led to widespread protests.

The owner of the woman’s apartment intended to increase the rent by 275%. Her monthly rent rose from 500 euros to 2,650 euros. The owner company then reduced the rent to 1,650 euros, a figure that Maricarmen still could not afford. Following the protests, an agreement was reached with the owner that allows this woman to return to her home.