Unions urge Basque Government to declare housing tension zones

Labor unions ELA and LAB are calling on the Basque Government to designate Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa as tension zones to address the ongoing housing crisis. This demand follows recent tenant mobilizations in Madrid, where unions have pushed for a royal decree to protect renters.

Mitxel Lakuntza, general secretary of ELA, stated that while such a designation would not solve every issue, it would facilitate necessary decision-making. The unions criticized current housing policies as failures and highlighted the impact of speculative investment funds in the region.

Four mobilizations have been scheduled to demand sustainable rental extensions, an end to seasonal rental fraud, a halt to speculative purchases by investment funds, and a reduction in prices. Demonstrations are set for October 3 in Donostia, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Pamplona, followed by a protest in Bilbao on October 4.