Government Approves Sweeping Housing Decrees
The coalition government led by Spain's Socialist Workers' party has signed off on two decrees meant to relieve pressure in the country's housing market. Under the principal decree, protections against removing vulnerable renters would run through 2030, short-term and room-by-room rentals would face new rules, purchases of property by so-called vulture funds would be barred through 2028, and leases set to lapse at the close of 2028 would gain two extra years. A second deal covers automatic renewal of rental contracts. The steps follow broad anger over last week's removal of 87-year-old disabled Madrid resident Maricarmen Abascal.[S1][S2][S3]
The decrees were approved by cabinet on Tuesday and take effect immediately, but must be ratified by Congress within 30 days. The government has requested a special parliamentary session on Friday to expedite the vote. However, the minority coalition, composed of the Socialists and junior partner Sumar, lacks a majority and has previously struggled to secure support for housing overhauls. The first decree is believed to have the backing of conservative Catalan and Basque parties, but they are likely to oppose the second decree, which contains the automatic contract renewals.[S1][S2][S3]
Protests and Political Reactions
Hundreds of people remain camped out in a central Madrid square to protest Abascal's removal on a stretcher last Wednesday. Demonstrators are demanding a rent freeze and automatic lease renewals without abusive rent hikes. Health Minister Mónica García celebrated the cabinet's decision, stating that it was something unthinkable a month ago and that it is time to intervene in the speculative housing market. Social Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy described the measures as a first step towards economic and social transformation. The Tenants' Union, which has led the protests, said it needed to review the details but opposed splitting the issue into two decrees, with spokesperson Alicia Del Río calling it a tactic of tearing something into shreds.[S1][S2][S3]
Junts, the Catalan pro-independence party whose support is crucial for the decrees to pass, said it was still far from an agreement and demanded protections for small landlords. Junts spokesperson Míriam Nogueras argued that owning two properties is not the same as owning entire buildings, and that the government is not making that distinction. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the conservative People's party, dismissed the proposals, saying the government created a problem that did not exist when it took office and that a problem created over eight years cannot be solved in five minutes. The government has 30 days from the decrees' publication to reach a consensus with allies in Congress.[S1][S2][S3]
Abascal's Return and Broader Housing Struggles
Urbagestión, which carried out Abascal's eviction, proposed allowing her back into the flat with rent capped at 30% of what she earns. She agreed on Tuesday and will pay €533 a month, well below the €1,650 originally sought that triggered her removal. Her lawyer Beatriz Duro said Abascal ought never to have been made to leave and voiced hope the episode would spark a wider response to the housing crisis. Separately, housing activist and ex-Barcelona mayor Ada Colau said she left her rented flat after 15 years, unable to cover it alone post-separation, noting the market assumes two incomes; she has moved in with a relative.[S1][S2]
