Protests have spread across major Spanish cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, following the defeat of emergency housing legislation in parliament on Friday. Organizers expected approximately 50 demonstrations on Saturday as citizens demand stronger safeguards for tenants.
The unrest was ignited last month by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her home due to an unaffordable rent hike. Although the property management company, Urbagestión, subsequently negotiated her return on reduced terms, the incident triggered nationwide outrage and sustained calls for government intervention.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s leftist coalition government had introduced two separate decree laws aimed at addressing the crisis. The first measure proposed suspending evictions for vulnerable tenants until 2030, extending rental leases expiring before 2028, increasing taxes on tourist apartments, and restricting purchases by investment groups labeled as “vulture funds.” The second decree sought the automatic renewal of rental contracts, a key demand from leftist factions and tenant unions.
However, both measures were rejected by Congress. The first decree fell by a narrow margin of 178 votes to 172, while the second was defeated 184 to 166. The ruling Socialist party and junior partner Sumar lack a majority, relying on support from regional nationalist parties. Before the vote, the conservative People’s Party and far-right Vox announced opposition, and the center-right Catalan separatist group Together for Catalonia (JxCat) withdrew its support, sealing the legislation’s fate.
“There is a lot of anger in the streets,” a spokesperson for the Valencia Tenants’ Union told reporters ahead of the local demonstration. In Madrid, demonstrators have maintained a campsite at Puerta del Sol for several days. Protester David told broadcaster RTVE: “We’re not here for pleasure or comfort. We’re here out of conviction.”
The Madrid Tenants’ Union criticized the government’s proposals as inadequate and condemned the parliamentary rejection as exacerbating a crisis that is “costing the working class their lives.” The union is now calling for a general strike to address the housing emergency.
Data highlights the severity of the shortage: the Bank of Spain estimates a deficit of 700,000 homes. According to the national statistics institute INE, house prices rose 12.2% in the past year. Real estate firm Idealista reported that rental costs increased by 8.5% in 2025, with Madrid seeing a 9.7% rise. Madrid and Barcelona remain the most expensive cities to rent, averaging €22.70 and €23.80 per square metre, respectively.
The legislative failure has intensified speculation that Sánchez may call an early general election, which was not scheduled until next summer.
700,000 home shortage? No wonder rents are skyrocketing. The protests are justified, but does defunding investment funds actually increase supply or just price out normal buyers?
This is outrageous. They fought so hard for Maricarmen only to see the government fold to extremists. Tenants deserve better than empty promises.