Madrid's Sol Encampment Marks One Month Amid Internal Divisions and External Pressures

The protest encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, which began on September 26 following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, has reached its one-month mark. While the movement succeeded in pushing housing to the top of the political agenda—prompting the government to approve emergency decrees and call early elections for November 29—it now faces internal fragmentation, logistical strain, and mounting criticism from local authorities and residents Source: El Mundo (ES).

Internal divisions and leadership vacuum

The encampment initially coalesced under the Sindicato de Inquilinas, but that group withdrew after the first week, leaving a diffuse leadership structure. Organizers now rely on a self-management model with ten commissions, but internal documents acknowledge "deterioration" and exhaustion Source: El Mundo (ES). A general assembly on October 22 drew about 600 people, yet participation in smaller working groups remains low. In one node, 17 of 29 participants favored ending the protest immediately Source: El Mundo (ES).

Security and health concerns

A 25-year-old man was arrested for sexual assault against a 22-year-old woman inside the camp, according to police sources Source: El Confidencial. Meanwhile, the Community of Madrid closed the Sol metro station for two days after detecting ammonia levels linked to urine in ventilation shafts—a claim disputed by Metro unions and the Transport Ministry Source: El Español. The city has also reported the return of dozens of street vendors (manteros) who use the tents to hide merchandise Source: ABC.

What's next

Protesters are split between those who want to stay until the November 11 general strike and those advocating an indefinite presence. Some, like professor Oriol Erausquin, have already left, arguing the camp has served its purpose Source: Infobae. The encampment's future remains uncertain as it struggles to maintain momentum.