If you are struggling to find an affordable home in Spain you’re not alone, and the argument over how to fix the housing crisis has now reached some of the world’s richest people. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has backed criticism of the Spanish government’s housing policies, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to hit back at what he calls wealthy ‘oligarchs’ who oppose measures designed to help ordinary people.

The row centres on a fundamental disagreement over what Spain needs most: more homes, as Bezos and celebrity chef José Andrés argue, or stronger government intervention to make existing housing affordable. It comes as the country faces mounting public anger over rents, evictions and a shortage of affordable properties. 

How did the row between Sánchez and Bezos start?

The dispute began after José Andrés, the Spanish-American chef and founder of the World Central Kitchen charity, criticised the government’s response to Spain’s housing crisis in a post on X on October 2. Andrés argued that politicians were announcing measures without addressing the underlying shortage of homes. He called for more construction, greater availability of land, faster planning permissions and increased investment in both public and private housing.

He also warned that subsidising people who need homes without increasing supply could push prices higher, while regulating the existing rental market would not create additional properties. Bezos publicly endorsed the chef’s argument on 3 October, writing: “Diagnosis and prescription 100% correct. And not just in Spain.” Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky also backed the call for more construction, writing: “Well said. Build more housing. Everywhere.” 

Sánchez hits back at ‘oligarchs’

Sánchez responded to the criticism in an interview with Spanish news outlet El Diario published on 9 October. He questioned why wealthy business figures were weighing in against government housing measures, saying: “I wonder why these oligarchs position themselves against debates that are far removed from them.”

The prime minister also used sarcasm to challenge Andrés’s argument that Spain simply needs to build more homes. Referring to the chef’s comments, he said: “Allow me the sarcasm: we hadn’t thought of that.” Sánchez has argued that increasing construction alone will not solve the problem if housing remains unaffordable for people on ordinary wages. He wants the state to intervene more firmly in the market, including measures to protect tenants and improve access to affordable rents and home ownership. 

Housing crisis intensifies after eviction tragedy

The argument comes amid growing anger over Spain’s housing shortage, which has become a major political issue. The eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal from her Madrid home on September 23 sparked protests and a camp in the capital’s Puerta del Sol. Known as Maricarmen, she died in hospital on October 7 after being admitted with severe anxiety and exhaustion. No cause of death was announced.

Her case became a focus for campaigners demanding stronger protection for tenants and urgent action on housing affordability. Parliament’s rejection of government housing decrees last week intensified the dispute, with opposition parties and Junts per Catalunya voting against the measures. 

What does Sánchez want to change?

The government has proposed measures intended to make renting and buying a home more accessible, including tax relief for tenants paying rent and incentives for small landlords offering affordable rents. Other proposals include financial support for first-time buyers and measures to encourage more homes to be built. Sánchez has acknowledged that the measures alone will not resolve the crisis, saying Spain must continue building hundreds of thousands of additional homes, particularly public and affordable housing. 

The disagreement with Bezos reflects two different approaches to the same problem: whether increasing supply should take priority or whether the state must also intervene to protect people priced out of the market. For renters facing rising costs, first-time buyers struggling to save a deposit and families worried about losing their homes, the question is whether either approach can deliver affordable housing quickly enough.

The Puente del Pilar getaway is already turning into a headache for drivers across Spain, with accidents and long queues delaying people trying to get away for the four-day holiday. If you’re setting off from Madrid or Barcelona, you could face kilometres of traffic before getting very far, while motorists around Valencia and Zaragoza province are also encountering disruption.

The timing could hardly be worse for holidaymakers hoping to make the most of the long weekend. With Spain’s National Day falling on Monday, 12 October, millions are taking advantage of the break to travel, and the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) expects around 5.7 million long-distance journeys. Queues have already exceeded three kilometres on the A-1 near Madrid, while several routes around Barcelona are reporting delays of up to nine kilometres.

Accidents cause long queues leaving Madrid

Madrid was among the worst-affected areas as holiday traffic built on Friday, 9 October. Two accidents on the A-1, near the Circuito del Jarama and around Somosierra, caused queues of more than three kilometres each, according to 20minutos. Other major roads leaving the capital were also experiencing delays.

Traffic was building on the A-3 near Rivas-Vaciamadrid, the A-4 around Butarque and Pinto, the A-42 near Parla and the A-5 around Arroyomolinos. Drivers were also encountering congestion on the A-6 near Las Rozas. The problems came as people began travelling for the four-day break, putting pressure on roads leading out of Madrid during the afternoon getaway.

Barcelona faces nine-kilometre queues

Barcelona was also dealing with significant congestion, particularly on the AP-7 and the city’s ring roads. An accident on the AP-7 near Cerdanyola del Vallès, towards Girona, contributed to queues of around nine kilometres from Sant Cugat del Vallès. A further nine-kilometre stretch of congestion was reported towards Tarragona, between Mollet del Vallès and Barberà del Vallès.

The Ronda de Dalt was also heavily congested, with queues of around nine kilometres towards Llobregat and another nine kilometres towards Besòs from the Nus de la Trinitat. On the Ronda Litoral, delays extended for eight kilometres southbound and six kilometres northbound. The Servei Català de Trànsit expects up to 570,000 vehicles to leave the Barcelona metropolitan area during the Pilar holiday, adding to the pressure on the region’s main roads.

Valencia and Zaragoza routes affected

Drivers leaving Valencia were encountering heavy traffic on the A-3 near Buñol and Siete Aguas, according to traffic reports. In Zaragoza province, an accident on the A-68 near Mallén, towards Logroño, was also affecting traffic.

Elsewhere, the A-62 was closed near Villamarciel, in Valladolid province, towards Salamanca, following a collision reported at around 3:00pm. Further incidents affected the AP-7 near Sant Cugat del Vallès and the A-6 near Las Rozas, adding to the disruption as the holiday getaway gathered pace.

When will traffic be worst?

The getaway is expected to remain busy throughout the weekend, but drivers should also prepare for delays on the return journey. The DGT expects the main return traffic on Monday afternoon and evening. To view what times are best to avoid the roads this weekend see our article Spain warns drivers to avoid these four peak travel periods over October bank holiday

Remember that drivers can check the latest road conditions through the DGT website or its traffic information service on 011 before setting off. Checking for accidents and delays before choosing a route could help avoid some of the worst queues and the timing of a trip could make a significant difference to how long drivers spend on the road. Safe travels!

Rusting railings and falling concrete have prompted the council to renew its appeal to Spain’s Transport Ministry, claiming it has been unable to carry out repairs itself.

Mijas Council has demanded urgent repairs to all 17 pedestrian footbridges crossing the A-7 motorway within the municipality, warning that deteriorating railings, corroded fixings and falling concrete could endanger pedestrians and passing traffic.

The council renewed its request to Spain’s Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, October 7, following complaints about the condition of the structures, including several inspected by local councillors in La Cala de Mijas.

Infrastructure councillor Juan Jose Torres said the bridges showed signs of prolonged neglect, with rusted metal railings, peeling paintwork and sections of concrete breaking away. Debris falling from the structures could pose a danger to vehicles travelling along the busy coastal motorway, he warned.

Council says it cannot carry out repairs

Mijas Council cannot legally carry out repair works on the bridges as they fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport in Spain as they form part of the A7 motorway structure, which is legally property of the state.

Torres said the council had repeatedly contacted the Ministry of Transport to request repairs but had received no response. A further formal request covering all 17 bridges was due to be sent on October 7.

The councillor also claimed the local authority risked state sanctions if it attempted to carry out repairs without the necessary authorisation.

This leaves the council calling for urgent action while claiming it cannot independently address the deterioration affecting the crossings.

Beach access among the concerns

The condition of the footbridges is also a concern for residents and visitors who use them to cross the A-7 and reach coastal areas. Playas councillor Daniel Gomez said years of insufficient maintenance had left some sections of railing so badly corroded that replacing entire sections could be necessary, rather than simply patching up the damage.

The bridges provide important links between residential areas, local facilities and the coast, making their condition a practical safety issue for people living in and visiting Mijas Costa.

Will the bridges be repaired?

The council’s latest demand follows previous calls for improvements to pedestrian bridges along this stretch of the A-7. However, it has not announced a repair timetable agreed with the Ministry. The allegations of deterioration have not been accompanied by a publicly available independent engineering assessment establishing whether any of the 17 bridges have structural weaknesses affecting their overall stability.

Residents will now be looking for a response from the Ministry and details of when inspections and repairs might take place.

For the time being, Mijas Council is insisting that the state authority responsible for the structures must act to address the reported defects and ensure the crossings can be used safely.