Madrid High Court rejects regional bid for immediate Puerta del Sol eviction
The High Court of Justice of Madrid has rejected an emergency petition from the regional government to immediately clear the housing protest in Puerta del Sol, giving state lawyers until 7 October to respond.
Court denies immediate eviction
The High Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) has rejected an emergency petition from the Community of Madrid to immediately dismantle the housing protest encampment in Puerta del Sol. The regional executive, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, had requested interim measures without a prior hearing (medidas cautelarísimas), claiming unlawful occupation of public space and inaction by the central government delegation. Section Six of the court acknowledged circumstances of urgency but determined that it could not mandate an eviction without first hearing from the State Administration. In its ruling, the court stated that executing an immediate clearance could trigger social friction and require law enforcement to use physical compulsion against demonstrators.
The court directed the State Legal Service (Abogacía del Estado), representing central Government Delegate Francisco Martín, to submit arguments regarding the alleged administrative inaction by 9:00 on 7 October.
- Protesters set up the Puerta del Sol encampment following the eviction of an 87-year-old resident in Retiro.
- Madrid High Court denies regional government request for immediate interim eviction.
- Complutense University faculty start open-air lecture series in Puerta del Sol.
- Deadline for the State Legal Service to present its response regarding administrative action.
- Spanish general elections scheduled following announcement by Pedro Sánchez.
Political dispute over public space
The regional administration claimed that the protest in front of the Real Casa de Correos breaches the statutory limits of the Organic Law governing the right of assembly. A regional heritage report submitted to the court argued that the camp generates direct physical damage to two designated Cultural Interest Assets: the regional government headquarters and the sculpture of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (El Oso y el Madroño). During a breakfast briefing at the Palace Hotel in Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso criticized the protest organizers.
Some have not studied or do not know what life is about.
PSOE municipal spokesperson Reyes Maroto opposed the regional government's legal challenge, arguing that authorities must address housing shortages rather than treating protests strictly as public order violations. Maroto noted the political stakes following Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's announcement that Spanish general elections will take place on 29 November.
The response of those protesting for decent housing must be political. More affordable housing, eviction prevention and protection against speculation.
Academic program and protest origins
The encampment at Puerta del Sol began between 26 and 27 September, triggered by the eviction of Maricarmen, an 87-year-old woman removed from her Retiro home of 70 years before being hospitalized. The demonstration expanded on 5 October as the university platform UCM por la Pública launched a scheduled series of open-air classes in the square titled "La Uni en la puta calle".
The program features faculty from several disciplines at the Complutense University of Madrid from 5 to 7 October. Initial Monday lectures include urban sociology by Sara Porras and Pedro Uceda, followed by economic sessions led by María José Díaz Santiago, Pablo López Calle, and Antonio Ramírez Melgarejo. Later presentations by Eddy Sánchez, Víctor Alonso Rocafort, Belén Rodríguez de Fonseca, Raquel Caerols, and Xabier Arrizabalo address rentier capitalism, urban heat islands in tree-less plazas, and media coverage of evictions. Eva Aladro, spokesperson for UCM por la Pública, explained the university initiative.
We want, above all, to bring attention, to contribute our small part to this unique phenomenon being experienced, which is the awakening of citizen awareness regarding the situation of thousands and thousands of people in the sphere of housing.
