Spanish parliament rejects emergency housing measures and eviction ban

Spain’s Socialist-led coalition government suffered a major legislative defeat on Friday when a fractured parliament rejected emergency measures designed to curb the nation’s housing crisis. The conservative People’s party, the far-right Vox, and the Catalan pro-independence party Junts voted down the package, which included a ban on evictions until 2030 and regulations on temporary and room-by-room lettings.

Parliamentary Defeat in Madrid Rejects Emergency Housing Decrees

The rejected package comprised two separate decrees previously approved by the Council of Ministers. The first decree included the 2030 eviction ban and a two-year extension of existing contracts expiring before December 31, 2028. It also aimed to stop evictions of vulnerable people, provide tax incentives for renting, and prohibit vulture funds from purchasing flats until 2028. The second text proposed the automatic renewal of tenancy agreements, a principal demand pushed by the Sumar party and the Tenants’ Union. Sumar suggested these renewals should mirror permanent employment contracts, where tenancies only end if a landlord provides a valid reason. This specific measure was a point of contention; the PSOE originally proposed extensions only until 2028 to avoid alienating the PNV and Junts parties. Lawmakers convened on Friday for a five-hour debate, culminating in a roll-call vote where Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a last-gasp appeal to legislators, warning that an unregulated market would destroy society. At the request of Sumar and the Socialists, the vote was also conducted by a show of hands to force lawmakers to publicly reveal their positions.

Political Divisions and Snap Election Speculation Following the Vote

The legislative defeat stems from deep political friction within the Spanish parliament. While the People’s party argued that building more homes rather than implementing price controls is the correct solution—with lawmaker Juan Bravo stating that affordability comes from construction—the government sought to quell widespread public anger. Government sources indicated that Sánchez was leaning toward calling a snap election following the defeat, potentially moving the timeline up from next summer. Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz also declined to rule out an early vote during an interview with Cadena SER. This comes as Sánchez faces pressure regarding corruption cases involving close allies and family members, as well as the migrant crisis in Ceuta. He may seek to capitalize on housing discontent by portraying the opposition as an obstacle to solving the crisis.

Protesters march to Spanish parliament as politicians to vote on housing crisis measures | AFP

Protests and Encampments Persist Across Spanish Cities

The parliamentary vote coincided with demonstrations outside the parliament building in Madrid, where protesters carried homemade signs featuring images of vultures and chanted against housing speculators. Protesters chanted, “Your profits, our misery.” The demonstrations were galvanized late last month by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who faced a 230% rent hike after an investment fund purchased her apartment. Abascal, who uses a wheelchair, had lived in the home for 70 years. Following the rejection of the decrees, the Confederation of Tenants’ Unions stated, “They’re not going to stop us,” and called for nationwide street protests this weekend, suggesting a general strike as the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spain’s Housing Crisis

What specific measures were included in the rejected government decrees?

The decrees included a ban on evictions for vulnerable people until 2030, regulations on temporary and room-by-room lettings, provisions for extending existing tenancy agreements, tax incentives to encourage renting, and a ban on vulture fund property purchases until 2028.

Spanish parliament rejects emergency housing measures and eviction ban — Photo: RTE.ie

Why did the parliamentary parties vote against the emergency package?

The conservative People’s party and far-right Vox opposed the measures on the grounds that market deregulation and increased home construction are better solutions than price controls, while Catalan separatist party Junts also joined the opposition to defeat the decrees.

What triggered the recent wave of protests in Madrid?

Public outrage surged after the late-September eviction of 87-year-old wheelchair user Maricarmen Abascal, who could not afford a 230% rent increase demanded by an investment fund, leading to an encampment in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol plaza.