Thousands march in Barcelona against soaring housing costs, clash with police

Large numbers of people took to the streets of Barcelona in a mass protest against Spain's deepening housing crisis. The movement centred on the crisis. Protesters demanded affordable homes, relief from the growing burden of rent, and a city where ordinary citizens can afford to live.

House prices and rents in Barcelona have been rising for some time, and public anger is growing. Demand for homes in the city is high, but there is a shortage of affordable housing.

Local residents, tenants' organisations and community groups came together to raise their voice against the government's housing policy. The protesters said housing is not an investment but a basic need. On that basis, they demanded concrete steps for affordable homes.

The protesters marched from central Barcelona. During the protest, they tried to move towards the Barcelona Stock Exchange, but police blocked the way, raising tension.

After the official march ended, some protesters stayed on at the spot. When they were stopped from moving ahead, police and protesters came face to face and clashes broke out from both sides. Tension rose once the march had ended.

Housing has now moved to the centre of Spain's political and social debate. In big cities in particular, rising prices and rents are increasing the financial pressure on the middle class and low-income people.

The protesters demanded that the government take more effective steps to make housing available, making the issue one of pressure on the government. After the clashes, the role of police during public protests has also come up for discussion alongside the housing question.