Madrid – Spain’s left‑leaning government encountered a decisive setback in the lower house on Friday when Junts, the Catalan centre‑right separatist party, voted against a sweeping housing decree aimed at easing the nation’s rental crisis. The party, which holds seven seats, warned that the proposed ban on evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, an extension of the two‑year rent freeze, and tighter short‑term rental rules would actually reduce the supply of rental housing, push rents higher and make it harder for families with limited means to find homes.
Key provisions of the decree
The draft legislation includes three main measures:
- A prohibition on evicting vulnerable tenants – such as the elderly or low‑income households – until 2030.
- An extension of the current rent‑freeze policy, keeping rents unchanged for existing leases for an additional two years.
- Stricter regulations on short‑term rentals, intended to shift more units back into the long‑term market.
Junts argued that these steps would “reduce the supply of rental housing, drive up prices, and make it even harder for people with limited financial means to access housing.”
Public outrage over a high‑profile eviction
The debate was inflamed by the recent eviction of 87‑year‑old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal, which sparked protests across Spain. Young activists set up tents in Madrid’s central square and in other cities for nearly a week, echoing the anti‑austerity sit‑ins of the 2008‑12 financial crisis. The protests highlighted a broader concern: many young Spaniards continue to live with their parents well into their thirties because housing costs have become unaffordable.
Soaring rents and the economic backdrop
According to the Youth Council of Spain, average monthly rents have climbed to €1,176 (about $1,323), representing 98.7% of a typical young worker’s salary. Over the past decade, rents have roughly doubled, underscoring the urgency of the housing debate.
Political dynamics in the Cortes
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority left‑wing coalition controls 147 of the 350 seats in the Congress of Deputies and relies on smaller parties such as Junts to pass legislation. While the housing decree was the focal point on Friday, a second proposal – which would allow automatic, indefinite renewal of rental contracts – also failed to secure the minimum support needed.
Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, a leading figure of the coalition’s far‑left wing, condemned the opposition, urging voters to see “the true colours” of those blocking the decree. She warned that failure to pass the measures could prompt Sánchez to call a snap election ahead of the scheduled vote next year.
What’s next?
The government must now negotiate with Junts and other opposition groups to either amend the decree or seek alternative pathways to address Spain’s housing shortage. With public sentiment increasingly focused on affordable housing, any perceived retreat could fuel further protests and impact the upcoming electoral calendar.
As the debate continues, Spaniards across the country await concrete action that balances the need for tenant protection with the preservation of a healthy rental market.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
