Greenpeace scales parliament building in Madrid

THREE members of Greenpeace scaled the roof of parliament in protest of the ‘privatisation’ of Spain’s coastlines.

The activists, who were later arrested, unveiled a banner reading ‘The PP sells our coast’ while on top of the building in Madrid.

Members of the organisation held the peaceful protest while government officials were inside debating a reform bill of the 1988 Coastal Law.

Approval of the new Coastal Act, which was voted for only by members of the Partido Popular, has received a backlash of criticism from socialist and environmental groups.

A spokesman from Greenpeace said the approval of the law ‘pardons’ thousands of buildings which were illegally built within 100 metres of the beach.

The current 1988 Coastal Law dictates that any area within 100 metres of the beach is public and not suitable for private development.

However, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Miguel Arias Canete, said the new Coastal Act provides more powerful tools ‘to prevent urban atrocities’ that were built under the 1988 standard such as
Almeria’s Algarrobico hotel.

He also stated that the Act ‘guarantees the preservation of the coast’ but gives legal certainty to all those who acquired homes ‘which were built in the protection zone before 1988’.

The protest by Greenpeace later sparked a debate over the security of government buildings as the three activists were able to easily scale the main gate and climb on to the roof.