The Puerta del Sol encampment resists a third night: "Either you are on the side of the tenants, or on the side of the vulture funds"

MadridMaybe it is not the 15-M, but many things remind us of it. "The people united will never be defeated". "Long live the struggle of the working class", sing the thousands of people who this Monday night remain in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid, many of whom will spend their third night there defying the rain and the cold that has suddenly arrived in the Spanish capital. They are all clear that until the so-called Maricarmen decree with the at least four requests made by the Tenants' Union goes ahead, they will not move.

Around the encampment, a program of events has been established. For example, a popular lunch, debates and talks on union organization or the historical housing problem, and also concerts and brass bands. In the last few hours, other social movements beyond those of the right to housing have joined. Next to the orange color that identifies the Tenants' Union and the green of the PAH, the yellow of the early childhood educators and the green of public education also stand out. Also an organization program: cleaning the space, collecting food and supplies, or helping with coordination.

The rain has forced the placement of large blue tarps to protect the tents, the signs with proclamations, the tables and chairs, some kitchen utensils or even computers of those whose teleworking has allowed them to come here. "We are not afraid. There are many of us and if they threaten to evict us, many more will come", say two students who camped at the Puerta del Sol this Sunday. "This is the closest I am to being able to live in my city", can be read on the white tent that protects their camping tents. The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez Almeida, has warned that if the Spanish government's delegation does not act against the campers, he will: "We will not stand idly by".

"Of course it reminds us of the 15-M. Back then the problem was mortgages and now the problem is more the rent, but, at the end of the day, it is the same. Living with your heart in your mouth because you don't know if tomorrow you will be able to keep paying or if you will be on the street", say Manuel and Consuelo, two pensioners who this Monday at noon came to the Puerta del Sol to support those gathered. They explain that on October 7th they have a trial with CaixaBank because three years ago, with the rise in interest rates, their mortgage loan skyrocketed – it was a variable rate – and they have not been able to meet the debt payment.

The main demand of the Union is the shielding of contracts: "The decree cannot fail to include indefinite contracts and the automatic renewal of leases," stated the spokesperson for the Tenants' Union, Alicia del Río, while speaking to the media. Regarding tax breaks for landlords, the union criticizes them. "The PSOE needs to be brave [...] Either you are on the side of the tenants, or on the side of the vulture funds," the Union spokesperson declared.

Del Río has just finished speaking with the journalists and immediately an elderly woman approaches her, who for years has been struggling with a housing issue with the Social Housing Agency –Ivima– of the Community of Madrid. The elderly woman explains her case to her; she knows that surely neither Alicia nor the Union can give her an immediate solution, but she feels heard. Behind her, another man, a resident of the Madrid neighborhood of Barajas, waits to do the same. And the feeling, looking from side to side, is that the line of cases could stretch on sine die.

Although the circumstances are different, the headache is shared: housing, whether rented or owned. It is an example of how a right recognized in the Constitution –a decent and adequate home– has become a mirage for many people.

However, the Tenants' Union knows that this Tuesday's is a first battle. "We'll see later what we do in Congress. But now it is important that the royal decree reaches the Council of Ministers. All the pressure is on Tuesday," said Del Río.