Protest planned during Sánchez's award ceremony
The Tenants' Union will hold a series of mobilisations in Barcelona on Monday, 28 September 2026, coinciding with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's visit to the city. A key protest is scheduled for 7:00 PM in front of the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, where Sánchez is set to preside over the 2026 Vanguardia Awards at 8:00 PM. Union spokesperson Enric Aragonès called on all Catalans affected by housing insecurity to attend and "tell the Spanish president to his face" that rental contracts must be made indefinite through automatic renewal. He warned that any housing decree approved by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday without this measure "will be a farce."
Demand for 'Maricarmen decree' grows
The protest follows nationwide outrage over the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen from her Madrid home, which has become a symbol of the housing crisis. The Tenants' Union and allied groups are demanding the approval of what they call the "Maricarmen decree", a royal decree law that would include automatic lease renewals and stronger protections against evictions in vulnerable cases. Aragonès stressed that the current 48-hour window before the Council of Ministers meeting is critical. "People are fed up with living with the uncertainty that, when our rental contract ends, the landlord can kick us out without explanation," he said.
These 48 hours that remain are key. We call on all Catalans who are fed up with this situation to say it to his face.
The union has ruled out establishing a permanent encampment in Barcelona for now, preferring targeted action during Sánchez's attendance at the awards gala.
Local eviction fears fuel mobilisation
Ahead of Monday's protest, the union held a gathering on Sunday evening at Entença Street 69, in support of Rosario Castelló, a resident facing eviction by a vulture fund. Organisers drew parallels with Maricarmen's case, stating, "We have Maricarmen everywhere with many names and faces." The demonstration in Barcelona follows a similar protest at Madrid's Puerta del Sol, where around 500 people spent the night in tents over the weekend. That camp, organised by the Madrid Tenants' Union, continues as pressure mounts on the government to act. Residents and activists are urged to attend Monday's protest at the Palau de Congressos to demand concrete action on housing stability. The event coincides with the attendance of Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni, who will also be present at the Vanguardia Awards ceremony.
Primary sources: lamoncloa.gob.es. Reported by en.ara.cat, democrata.es, Marta Puig i Vidal, Diari ARA.
