- Rightwing parties including the People's party, Vox, and Junts voted against the government's emergency housing decrees, which included a ban on evictions until 2030.
- The eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who uses a wheelchair, was a tipping point as she faced a 230% rent hike demanded by the investment fund that bought her apartment.
- Protesters outside parliament reacted to the vote with boos, chanting 'Your profits, our misery.'
- Rents have surged 80% within a decade and home costs climbed 63%, causing significant hardship for many.
- The Confederation of Tenants' Unions has called for a general strike, stating: 'In the face of a parliament that is out of touch, the answer is more organisation and mobilisation.'
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the vote would reveal the 'true colours' of the rightwing parties, emphasizing the choice between the social majority and speculators.
Spanish lawmakers rejected two emergency housing decrees aimed at addressing a growing crisis, with the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal serving as a catalyst for widespread protests.23
The conservative People's Party, far-right Vox, and Junts voted against the measures proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's coalition, which included a ban on evictions until 2030 and regulations on temporary lettings.189
“Housing doesn’t become more affordable through decrees; it becomes more affordable by building more homes,” said lawmaker Juan Bravo, reflecting the right's stance.
Outside the parliament, demonstrators held signs depicting vultures and chanted, “Your profits, our misery,” in response to the rejection of the decrees.
The protests were ignited by Abascal's eviction, which highlighted the severe impact of rising rents—up 80% in a decade—and home prices—up 63%—on vulnerable populations.5
“They’re not going to stop us,” declared the Confederation of Tenants’ Unions, calling for nationwide mobilization and a potential general strike.
The government's defeat underscores Sánchez's lack of a congressional majority, raising speculation about early elections.
The first decree aimed to suspend evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, while the second sought to automatically renew rental contracts, a key demand from the left.
As protests continue, the Sindicato de Inquilinas announced plans to expand their efforts to combat rental increases and evictions across Madrid.
“The rejected package included a ban on evictions until 2030 and regulation of temporary lettings. People's party lawmaker Juan Bravo said housing becomes affordable by building more homes, not through decrees, while the Confederation of Tenants' Unions called for a general strike.”
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