Spain protests flare after housing bill rejected: Will it cause snap poll? | Housing News
Tens of Thousands Protest Across Spain Following Housing Bill Rejection
Tens of thousands of people rallied across Spain in response to the conservative-majority parliament’s rejection of proposed measures aimed at addressing the country’s ongoing housing crisis.
On Friday, parliament voted down two decrees introduced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s left-wing coalition government intended to provide relief for renters and curb rising housing costs.
The protests gained momentum in late September after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maria del Carmen Abascal, from her home of 70 years in Madrid. Her eviction was precipitated by an international investment fund purchasing her building and significantly increasing her rent.
Local media speculate that Sanchez may consider calling for snap elections as early as November, citing the public response to the protests. The current legislative term is set to expire next summer.
Parliamentary Vote and Government Response
Sanchez’s proposed emergency measures aimed at combating the housing affordability crisis were defeated in parliament. The first decree sought to halt evictions of vulnerable individuals, impose restrictions on short-term rental properties, and introduce tax incentives to promote rental housing construction. The second decree aimed to make leases automatically renewable, effectively extending them indefinitely unless the landlord provided financial compensation to the tenant.
In a last-minute appeal to lawmakers, Sanchez urged them to prioritize the needs of ordinary citizens. “Think about ordinary people, about those who most need the protection of public institutions,” he said before the vote. However, a majority of the 350-seat lower house voted against the proposals.
The right-wing Catalan separatist party Junts and other opposition parties, including the center-right Popular Party and the far-right Vox, opposed the measures. Junts member Miriam Nogueras criticized the decrees, suggesting they would prompt property owners to withdraw their apartments from the rental market, causing prices to rise further.
Health Minister Monica Garcia accused right-wing parties of perpetuating a “feudal economy” benefitting a select few while disregarding their own constituents’ struggles with increasing rents.
Public Outcry and Escalating Protests
The recent protests, stemming from Abascal’s eviction, have highlighted growing discontent regarding housing policies in Spain. Demonstrations peaked on Saturday as citizens voiced their frustration over parliament’s decision. In Madrid, participant Nando de Anguulo remarked, “It only proves that it is us, the people, who have to adapt to the political parties and not the politicians to what the people want.”
Although most protests were peaceful, tensions escalated in Valencia, where police utilized rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to occupy a cultural landmark. In Madrid, violence erupted as officers detained members of a far-right group trying to confront protesters.
Valeria Racu, a spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, characterized the demonstrations as a resurgence of public activism and called for a return to grassroots politics.
Housing Crisis and Political Implications
The housing crisis is a critical political issue in Spain, where average rents have nearly doubled in the past decade. The average price per square meter increased from 8.20 euros in 2016 to 15.1 euros this year, according to real estate data.
With public sentiment shifting, Sanchez faces the challenge of maintaining support, particularly among younger, educated voters. Following the parliamentary vote, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the center-right People’s Party, called for immediate elections, asserting Sanchez lacks support both within parliament and the public.
While no official announcement regarding new elections has been made, reports suggest elections could be scheduled for late November, ahead of the current general election slated for July 2027.
