Key facts
- Lawmakers rejected a Spanish government decree designed to tackle the housing crisis.
- The decree aimed to ban vulnerable tenant evictions until 2030 and extend rent freezes.
- The legislation failed to pass parliament with 178 votes against and 172 in favor.
- Catalan separatist party Junts joined the opposition in voting down the decree.
- Protesters plan to continue demonstrations and encampments in Madrid and other cities.
- Rents in Spain have doubled over the last decade, reaching an average of €1,176 per month.
Spanish lawmakers have rejected a government decree aimed at addressing the country's housing crisis, prompting protesters to vow continued demonstrations and encampments. The proposed legislation, which sought to ban evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030 and extend rent freezes for existing leases, failed to pass a parliamentary vote on Friday.
The decree was voted down by 178 votes to 172, with lawmakers from the Catalan separatist party Junts joining the opposition in rejecting the measures. Junts argued that the proposals would reduce housing supply and exacerbate the problem. The Tenants' Union, which has been at the forefront of the protests, stated that rallies would continue and that they are aiming for a general strike.
The eviction of 87-year-old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal last week served as a catalyst for widespread anger over housing costs. Young people have set up tents in Madrid's central square and other cities, reminiscent of anti-austerity protests from 2008-2012. Rents have doubled in the last decade, with average prices now at €1,176 per month, equivalent to nearly 99% of the average salary for a young person. Abascal's lawyer stated that structural measures are needed to resolve the housing problem.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's coalition government, which holds 147 seats in the 350-seat chamber, relies on smaller parties like Junts for legislative support. Junts spokesperson Miriam Nogueras urged the government to work on a new decree, while opposition lawmaker Juan Bravo of the People's Party suggested that building more homes is the solution to affordability.