Canary Islands Housing Protests Escalate as Activists Threaten General Strike

The housing crisis has moved from political debate to the streets, with protesters setting up permanent encampments in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This movement coincides with a parliamentary vote in the Congress of Deputies on two government decrees aimed at addressing the housing emergency.

The protesters, including groups like the Tenerife Tenants' Union, have organized committees and gathered supplies to demand the full enforcement of the Housing Law. They argue that current measures are insufficient unless the government declares "stressed" areas, caps rental prices, and halts evictions. Their core message is that housing should be treated as a fundamental right rather than a speculative asset.

The protests are growing. In Tenerife’s Plaza de España, about 50 tents are currently housing over 70 people, a number expected to rise. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the movement has grown to over 65 tents and more than 100 residents, with evening protests drawing crowds of over 200.

The groups are prepared to increase pressure. If the parliamentary vote does not meet their demands, they have threatened to call for a general strike. A demonstration is already planned for this Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Government Sub-delegation in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Beyond highlighting the difficulty of finding affordable housing, the protesters are criticizing regional authorities, accusing them of prioritizing the real estate market over the needs of local residents. Through a mix of assemblies and cultural events, the encampments have become a clear sign of the deep social divide in the Canary Islands, where many citizens can no longer afford to live in their own communities.