Tens of thousands protest in Madrid over Spain's housing crisis

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Madrid on Saturday to demand stronger tenant protections, anti-fraud rules, and a ban on evictions without alternative housing amid Spain's housing crisis. The demonstration was sparked by the forced eviction of an 87-year-old woman from a Madrid apartment she had lived in for decades. Despite strong economic growth, rising housing costs and shortages are pricing many citizens out of the market. Analysts attribute the pressure to tourism expansion and urban population growth from immigration. Spain's central bank estimates a shortage of about 550,000 homes, concentrated largely in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.