Protests in Spain and several other European countries have been ongoing for several weeks, as citizens seek solutions to the rising cost of living and the housing crisis.
In cities like Madrid, demonstrators have gathered in squares to demand concrete measures that will make living and housing more affordable.
While protests in Spain and Portugal have been largely peaceful, the situation in several other European countries has been marked by violent incidents. In France, over the weekend, arson and damage to public buildings were reported, while in Italy there were also similar incidents, notably in Milan.
In parallel with developments on the ground, Spanish authorities have raised concerns about suspected calls from jihadist groups to attack police and protesters. According to the Spanish newspaper El País, Spain's Interior Ministry has identified messages on a website suspected of being linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) group, calling on militants to exploit mass gatherings and street clashes to carry out attacks.
According to the same report, the messages also contain suggestions on how to carry out attacks, including suicide bombings and the use of vehicles against crowds.
Concern about this risk has also spread to Portugal, where the Internal Security System (SSI) has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and cooperating with the relevant authorities.
Despite these warnings, demands for a solution to the housing crisis and easing the cost of living remain at the heart of the protests in Spain. Citizens are demanding measures that will make it easier for them to afford daily expenses and have more opportunities to secure a home.
