Spain’s Congress rejects Sánchez’s housing protections
Spain’s Congress rejected two housing decrees proposed by Pedro Sánchez’s minority government, blocking protections for vulnerable tenants and lease renewals. The votes followed protests over the eviction of an 87-year-old Madrid resident. Opposition parties and a Catalan ally withheld support, increasing pressure on Sánchez as the government prepares to consider its next step over the weekend.
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Two parliamentary defeats block the decrees
Spain’s Congress rejected two housing decrees on 2 October, defeating Pedro Sánchez’s attempt to retain new protections for tenants. His minority government needed parliamentary approval for the measures to remain in force. The first decree lost by 178 votes to 172; the second was rejected by 184 votes to 166.[1], [2]
The conservative People’s Party and the far-right Vox party had already announced their opposition. Together for Catalonia, a Catalan political party whose support was also needed by the minority administration, withheld its backing. Sánchez appealed to his allies before the votes, but the combination of opposition votes and lost smaller-party support prevented either proposal from passing.[1]
Eviction protests preceded the proposals
The proposals followed demonstrations over the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman living in Madrid. Abascal could not afford a steep increase in her rent. Following the public reaction, the company renting the home negotiated her return at a lower rent, but the wider demonstrations over housing continued. Protesters also gathered outside Congress while lawmakers debated the measures.[1]
Tenant protections and lease renewals fail
The first decree would have suspended evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030 and extended leases expiring before 2028 by two years. It also covered tax changes involving tourist apartments and restricted residential purchases by funds that the government described as vulture funds. The second decree included automatic renewal of rental contracts.[1]
Opponents argued that intervention would discourage landlords from offering homes for rent and worsen supply. Supporters instead emphasised protection for tenants. The defeats increased pressure for an early general election, ahead of the election expected the following summer. Government sources said the administration would consider its next step over the weekend; Sánchez had not announced an early election.[1]
The rejected first decree also sought to limit seasonal rental contracts and change the taxation of tourist apartments. Its tourism provisions included a 10 percent value-added tax. It proposed interest-free loans of up to 50,000 euros to help people obtain a first home.[2]
