The Spanish Congress rejected two emergency housing decrees with 178 votes against 172 in favor, anchored by the decisive votes of seven deputies from the Catalan party Junts per Catalunya, ansa.it reported on October 2, 2026. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faced the defeat after attempting to pass legislation that included freezing evictions for vulnerable people and halting property acquisitions by speculative vulture funds.
The Defeat at the Congreso de los Diputados
The first housing decree failed by a vote of 178 noes to 172 ayes, while the second fell by 184 noes to 166 ayes. The measures aimed to curb soaring rental prices and reform the housing market following nationwide anger sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen in Madrid. Before the vote, Sánchez appealed to the chamber to protect ordinary citizens, warning that any defeat of the legislation would cause immense harm to the country.
Sánchez defended the decrees, stating there was “no extremism in them,” and implored deputies to forget “political calculation” and think of families in anguish over rising rents. He urged members of Parliament to “be courageous” and think of the people, regardless of who they vote for.
The legislation specifically sought to block evictions for vulnerable tenants, stop speculative real estate purchases, and enforce an automatic two-year renewal on expiring rental contracts through 2028. The Psoe-Sumar coalition government noted the decrees would have also limited the expansion of tourist rentals. The first decree specifically proposed blocking evictions for vulnerable persons until 2030 and providing subsidies for first-time home buyers and affordable housing. Since its implementation last Wednesday, it had already prevented several evictions. However, opposition from the Partido Popular, Vox, and the seven lawmakers from Carles Puigdemont’s Junts per Catalunya blocked the measures. ilsole24ore.com noted that Junts proposed an alternative text offering greater protections for property owners. The government obtained support from Podemos, the Basque Nationalist Party, and the Republican Left.
Protests Fill Puerta del Sol
Tenants’ unions and citizens maintained an ongoing protest camp with tents in the square. Valeria Racu, spokesperson for the Tenant Syndicate, criticized lawmakers by stating that if politicians do not govern for the people, then the time for politicians is finished, though the time for politics in the streets remains active, as cited by El País.
Racu described the parliamentary outcome as “ridiculous.” Alice del Rio, spokesperson for the Sindicato de Inquilinas, called for a “huelga general!” and vowed the struggle for the right to housing would continue in the streets. Protesters, including student unions, returned to Puerta del Sol shouting “Shame!” and calling for a mass mobilization at 8 p.m. that evening.
Protest organizers scheduled manifestations in Madrid and other 22 Spanish cities following the parliamentary defeat. Demonstrators demanded immediate solutions to soaring housing costs and criticized lawmakers for rejecting protections for renters. In total, social organizations and tenant unions called for over 50 demonstrations across 50 Spanish cities for the following day, October 3.
Potential Snap Elections on November 29
Following the rejection of the housing decrees, the socialist government is evaluating whether to call snap elections for November 29, 2026, ahead of the scheduled end of the legislative term in 2027, ansa.it reported. Government sources cited by elDiario.es characterized the defeat as a very serious blow that exposes the lack of a stable progressive majority in Parliament.
While members of the executive branch and various socialist ministers signaled openness to heading to the polls to capitalize on public discontent over housing and distance the party from corruption scandals, Moncloa officials called for calm.
To secure the November 29 date, Sánchez would need to make the announcement by the beginning of next week. The final decision regarding the dissolution of the Spanish Chambers rests solely with the Prime Minister.
Spanish Congress rejects emergency housing decrees over property protections
Why were the emergency housing decrees rejected in the Spanish Congress?
The decrees were defeated 178-172 and 184-166 due to opposition from the Partido Popular, Vox, and the decisive seven votes from Junts per Catalunya, which favored an alternative text protecting property owners.
What specific measures were included in the rejected decrees?
The legislation included a freeze on evictions for vulnerable individuals, a block on speculative real estate purchases by vulture funds, and an automatic two-year renewal for expiring rental contracts through 2028.
When could Spain hold early general elections?
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is weighing whether to dissolve Parliament and call snap elections for November 29, 2026, following consultations over the weekend.
Where are the main tenant protests taking place?
Demonstrations are centered in Puerta del Sol in Madrid, where protesters have maintained a permanent camp, alongside simultaneous protests organized in Madrid and 22 other Spanish cities.