In Vitoria-Gasteiz the Ertzaintza carried out the eviction of a family with six minor children in the Sansomendi district on 23 October. The operation began in the morning and lasted several hours. Supporters gathered outside the building on Avenida de los Huetos ; there were scuffles and barriers were cleared. According to Europa Press there were two arrests and 58 people were identified; 19 police officers reported injuries. Media reports also mentioned injuries among demonstrators.
The authorities deployed a larger number of officers to secure access to the building and disperse subsequent demonstrations. RTVE and other media documented the escalation surrounding the enforcement. According to local reports, the family had previously been in repeated contact with social services and considered mediation offers, but found no lasting alternative after the moratoria previously in force expired. The courts and police initially made no detailed comment on the decisions in this individual case, but referred generally to their obligation to comply with court orders.
The clashes in Vitoria-Gasteiz are part of a series of evictions this autumn that have highlighted the shortage of alternative accommodation and the strain on local support systems. Support groups, including the Sindicato de Inquilinas and local initiatives, had called for protests and drawn attention to the particular vulnerability of families with children. Across the country, criticism has repeatedly been levelled at inconsistent assessments of vulnerability and insufficient municipal resources for emergency accommodation.
There have also been last-minute changes elsewhere: in Málaga local media reported that an eviction scheduled for early November had been temporarily suspended following mobilisation. No lasting solution had initially been confirmed there.
The case in Sansomendi highlights the tension between enforcing final court decisions and the social policy aim of preventing families with children from losing their homes. Experts point to areas where political decisions could make a difference: earlier debt advice, mandatory hardship assessments before enforcement, clear divisions of responsibility between municipalities and regions, and more reliable provision of temporary housing. Whether the documented protests lead to change will depend on short-term administrative decisions and medium-term legislative work. One thing is clear: the events of 23 October have increased pressure on administrations in Vitoria-Gasteiz and beyond.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).