European coordinated protests over cost of living, Digi Mart USA News (Paris): Housing rights unions and associations from seven European countries called on Tuesday, November 3, in Paris for “coordinated demonstrations across Europe” against the rising cost of living on November 20, 21 and 22. The groups followed a series of scattered protests in several European countries.
Representatives of organizations from Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Greece and Belgium, meeting in Paris, said they hope to bring “millions” of people into the streets. Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Confederation of Spanish Tenants’ Unions, which initiated the meeting, said at a press briefing that at this “crucial moment” of purchasing power pressure in Europe, “we have decided to coordinate to move forward together.”
Their main demands include a “guarantee of the right to housing” and “control of prices for housing, food and energy.” They also include broader social and political demands such as higher wages and pensions. Arcarazo listed the goal of guaranteeing public services, including education, health care and public housing; the “right to work” without “excluding migrants”; promoting “taxation of the rich”; and calling for an end to rearmament policies and the expansion of fossil fuel energy.
In Spain, the main unions have called a general strike on November 11 to advance their demands on housing and wages ahead of the early legislative elections scheduled for November 29. “By the millions, we will take to the streets and show that the people must lead, not the billionaires,” said Benjamin Ball, a member of the coordination of the yellow vests, who also attended the meeting.
The CGT and Solidaires unions also support the call, as does the housing association Droit au logement (DAL).
