There is widespread outrage in the popular Spanish city of Valencia as pensioners are forced to leave. The European Union has seen demonstrations and unrest triggered by rising rental and property prices, that in some cases are driving people out of the city
Valencia is embroiled in turmoil as skyrocketing rent is forcing its pensioners to relocate. The beloved Spanish city has been a focal point of anger and protest amid the EU-wide spikes in housing costs.
Just last week, a massive rally took place in the city where tens of thousands of people gathered and chanted “Valencia is drowning” (València s’ofega). The protest represented the locals frustration and despair.
The crisis hits home with stories like that of 76-year-old Antonio, who spoke out about his eviction from the city due to unmanageable living costs: “I have an average pension, and nothing was less than 600-700 euros,” he said. “I would have to spend half my pension on rent,” he shared.
Demonstrators are digging their heels in for a prolonged “sit-in” and vow to persevere at least until Sunday. Alba Font, a camp spokesperson, explains the plight of the situation: “We will not give up until we achieve our goals because our lives depend on it.”
“The camp is a political strategy built day by day. We have reclaimed the Town Hall square and made it ours, as a symbol of neighbourhood resistance. Now we are taking a step further: if we don’t have a home, the square alone is no longer enough for us. We want everything and we will fight for everything.”
Another protester fired back, questioning: “Has anyone explained what the leaders of the City of Valencia did with all the money that the City made from the 2.2 million visitors a year? Did they do nothing at all to protect the people of the City and ensure that they could afford to continue to live there? Were there no opportunities to provide social housing or enact local laws to limit property price increases?”