Mallorca housing protest: 150 weigh Saturday action

Around 150 people gather at Plaza de España in Palma, Mallorca, on Tuesday, 29 September: they are weighing another housing protest for Saturday. The meeting is organised by the housing protest camp Acampada por una vivienda para todos. Joan Segura, a camp participant and spokesperson for Stop Desnonaments Mallorca, says the camp will stay as a place to organise further action.

Why the camp is staying

Segura says that, according to media reports, two royal decrees put forward by Spain’s government contain measures it had planned by late July. He believes presenting them separately is an attempt to contain the protests. He also fears Spain’s Congress may not approve them.

Segura acknowledges that the measures offer some progress, but says campaigners want deeper changes. They intend to keep pressing the Spanish government, opposition parties and the Balearic regional government.

What campaigners want

Their demands include indefinite extensions to rental contracts and action against the misuse of seasonal lets, which they want turned into long-term tenancies. They also want rents cut by around 50% and a ban on evictions without justified cause.

Other housing protest camps have discussed calling a general strike. Segura says one is needed, but makes clear that the Palma camp will not call it itself.

Topics: Strikes · Housing · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com