Protesters across Spain demand action over housing crisis

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Spain calling for greater protections for tenants after the government failed to get emergency housing legislation through parliament on Friday.

About 50 planned marches were expected to take place in cities such as Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona on Saturday - with some already under way.

"There is a lot of anger in the streets," said a spokesperson for the Valencia Tenants' Union, where a demonstration has already started. Clashes have taken place between some protesters and police in the city.

The measures put forward by Pedro Sánchez's leftist coalition government on Friday followed public outcry over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home last month after she was unable to afford a sharp rent increase.

Her eviction triggered nationwide protests across Spain with protesters demanding lower rents, an end to evictions, and a ban on investment funds - or "vulture funds" as the government has termed them - buying property.

Sanchez's defeat in Congress on Friday heightens speculation that he might call an early general election, which was not due until next summer.

His coalition government, made up of his ruling Socialist party and junior partner the Sumar alliance, does not command a majority in parliament.

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