Recently, the European Union has begun to resemble a besieged fortress. And Russia, harboring a clear hostility toward everything the bloc represents, is threatening its peace. Among the many challenges undermining the EU from within, the housing crisis occupies a prominent place. As a result, young people have found it increasingly difficult to achieve independence. A family walks past a mural depicting residents' frustration, blaming tourism for worsening the housing crisis amid soaring rents, Barcelona, Spain, April 2, 2025.