Canary Islands residents protest high housing costs

Thousands of people participated in housing protests across the Canary Islands on Saturday, October 3. Demonstrations took place in the capital cities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with smaller mobilizations in Arrecife and Puerto del Rosario.

Protesters demanded measures to combat high rental prices, real estate speculation, and evictions. Activists called for the implementation of state housing legislation, specifically the declaration of stressed residential market zones, and an increase in public housing stock. Many participants also called for a general housing strike.

There were significant discrepancies in attendance figures. Government officials estimated approximately 2,000 participants in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and 3,500 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. However, organizing collectives reported much higher numbers, claiming up to 10,000 in Tenerife and 12,000 in Gran Canaria. The marches concluded with sit-ins in front of the regional government headquarters.