Housing Rights Protest Camp in Madrid Continues Despite Policy Wins

• The occupation at Puerta del Sol has entered its 12th day, expanding into surrounding streets as organizers maintain pressure on the government.
• Protesters have already achieved significant milestones, including the passage of two housing decrees, the calling of early elections for November 29, and momentum toward a general strike.
• Organizers insist the camp remains essential as a strategic pressure point and coordination hub for the upcoming general strike.

Future Strategy

• Activists are forming a committee to organize the general strike while continuing to maintain the Sol encampment.
• The goal is to bridge the protest from the central square to various neighborhoods across Madrid without emptying the Sol site.
• The movement is serving as a networking tool, with participants coordinating to stop evictions across the city in real time.

Critiques of Recent Policy

• Despite the government's concessions, housing collectives argue the new decrees are insufficient to address the core housing crisis.
• Key criticisms include the lack of mandated rent reductions and the absence of automatic lease renewals.
• Protesters contend that some measures actually favor landlords rather than struggling tenants who cannot afford current market rates.