Demonstration in Palma against housing speculation

 

On Monday, September 28, a massive demonstration took place against the real estate speculation promoted in the Islands by the PP-Vox coalition, and in favor of a policy ensuring decent housing for all—a constitutional right.

Article 47 of the 1978 Constitution—the one currently in force—states unequivocally:

All Spaniards have the right to enjoy decent and adequate housing. Public authorities shall promote the necessary conditions and establish the relevant regulations to make this right effective, and shall regulate land use in accordance with the general interest to prevent speculation.

The community shall share in the capital gains generated by the urban planning actions of public bodies.

Here in the Balearic Islands, the public authorities responsible for ensuring compliance with this provision—promoting conditions for everyone to enjoy decent housing and preventing speculation—include the Government of the Balearic Islands, the Island Councils, and the municipal governments, as well as the Parliament. In the case of the Islands, Mallorca, Palma, and the Parliament itself, this responsibility falls to the PP-Vox coalition; yet, far from fulfilling this constitutional mandate, they do nothing to ensure everyone can enjoy decent housing. Furthermore, far from seeking to prevent speculation, they actually foster it—if not actively participating in it—because it yields greater profits than social policy. During the three and a half years of this administration, residential rents have risen far beyond workers' wages, and both purchase and rental housing prices have increased to the point where they are out of reach for many people—even those in full-time employment earning a standard salary. Citizens—particularly young people who see no way to live independently or afford market-rate housing—have taken to the streets to demand that housing be recognized as a constitutional right for all, rather than a commodity for business, investment, and capital accumulation.

Food, clothing, and housing are three basic necessities; as such, they should not be subject to speculation but rather guaranteed as essential goods for everyone.

https://youtu.be/0OlH5AQgj9s?si=1UtvOIS8cRZJABZt