Spain Parliament Veto on Emergency Housing Decrees Sparks Renewed Protests

Spain’s parliament narrowly voted down two emergency government decrees designed to address a housing crisis that has ignited nationwide protests. The rejections occurred on Friday following a marathon five-hour debate in Madrid, with hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside chanting slogans such as “shame” and “your profits, our misery” as the results became clear.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose minority left-leaning government relies on opposition support to pass legislation, urged lawmakers to act during the final session. “Do the right thing, or history will judge you, and sooner than you think,” Sanchez said before the vote. Despite his efforts to rally support, the measures failed, with the economically right-leaning Catalan Junts party joining the opposition bloc in voting against them.

The first decree, intended to prevent evictions of vulnerable tenants, curb real estate speculation, and offer tax incentives for renting, fell by a razor-thin margin of 178 to 172. The second measure, which sought to make residential leases automatically renewable for tenants, was rejected more decisively at 184 to 166. Critics argued that the proposals could worsen the shortage by reducing housing supply, while some opponents suggested Sanchez should call early elections to resolve the legislative deadlock.

The unrest began approximately a week ago, fueled by the eviction of 87-year-old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid apartment. Although the investment company owning her building reversed the eviction this week, the incident served as a catalyst for broader frustration over unaffordable housing. Rents in Spain have approximately doubled over the past decade, leaving many young people dependent on their parents well into their thirties due to one of Europe’s toughest entry-level job markets.

Alicia del Rio, a spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, announced that plans for mass rallies would continue on Saturday to maintain pressure on the government. “The encampment will continue and will continue expanding to other neighborhoods,” del Rio said, adding that activists are aiming for a general strike. Abascal’s lawyer, Beatriz Duro, emphasized the urgency of structural reform, telling Reuters that “enough is enough” and that the housing problem must be resolved through lasting measures.

The path forward remains unclear for Sanchez, who has so far ruled out holding early elections. He may attempt to draft new emergency decrees, but any subsequent legislation will face the same parliamentary hurdles that blocked the current proposals.