70,000 in the Streets of Madrid.. Housing Crisis Sparks Widespread Protests in Spain

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Spanish capital Madrid and other cities on Saturday, as part of escalating demands for action to address the worsening housing crisis, following the parliament's rejection of a government package of measures.

Some demonstrators raised banners calling for a general strike, after parliament rejected on Friday the measures proposed by the government in response to public outrage over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home in Madrid, along with other issues related to the housing sector.

Nando Di Angulo, 26, who participated in the protest in Madrid, said: "It's unfortunate.. this only proves that we, the people, are the ones who have to adapt to political parties, not the politicians to what the people want, and this situation cannot continue like this."

Spanish media reported on Friday that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez may call for early elections in November after the legislation was not approved, and that he would monitor the size of the protests on Saturday before making any decision.

Sánchez's office declined to comment on these reports.

In the city of Valencia, located in the southeast of the country, protesters clashed with police who fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protests.

About 30 protesters managed to enter the City of Arts and Sciences building, one of the prominent cultural landmarks in Valencia, before the police succeeded in removing them.

Around 50 other Spanish cities witnessed protests, which remained mostly peaceful.

Valeria Racco, a spokesperson for the Tenants' Union, told reporters in Madrid that the union will move towards calling for a general strike after talks with labor unions.

The Spanish government stated that about 70,000 people participated in the Madrid protest on Saturday.

The protests that were scheduled to be held in Barcelona and the nearby town of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat were canceled due to heavy rainfall.