Spain's government teeters after housing decree rejected in parliament

The opposition parties, including the conservative People's Party, the far-right Vox, and the Catalan pro-independence party Junts, united to vote against the package of emergency measures proposed by Sánchez's Socialist-led coalition. The decrees included a ban on evictions until 2030 and regulations on temporary lettings and lettings by room.

The government's defeat underscores Sánchez's lack of a congressional majority and follows weeks of nationwide protests triggered by the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who had lived in her Madrid apartment for more than 70 years. Abascal was stretchered out of her home in late September after a court ruled in favor of real estate investment company Urbagestión, which had bought her building in 2018 and raised her monthly rent from €500 to €1,650 — far exceeding her disability pension of €1,350 per month.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Congress during the debate, and angry scenes unfolded after the results were announced. Sources told Spanish media that the government would spend the weekend deciding its next steps, including whether to dissolve parliament and call an early general election, which was not due until next summer.

Sánchez's government had already been weakened by a series of scandals and judicial cases affecting his Socialist Party and close allies. The housing crisis has grown increasingly acute across Spain, with previous protests targeting overtourism and its impact on housing affordability, but the eviction of Abascal has become a rallying point for a broader movement calling for renter protections.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The rejection of the housing decrees leaves Spain without emergency measures to address a deepening crisis that has pushed thousands of families out of their homes.
The political defeat weakens Sánchez's minority government significantly, with speculation mounting that he may call a snap election before the summer of 2027.
The eviction of an 87-year-old woman has galvanized public anger and may lead to sustained street protests that could reshape Spain's political landscape.

Background

Spain has been grappling with a severe housing affordability crisis, driven by rising rents, tourism-driven property investment, and a lack of social housing. The eviction of Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home of 70 years became a flashpoint after images of her being stretchered out went viral. She had taken over her father's lease from 1956, but after Urbagestión bought the building, rents soared. The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights had called for her eviction to be halted, but the courts ultimately ruled in the company's favor. The government's proposed decrees were the first major legislative response to the wave of protests that followed.

Key Perspectives

[Tenants' rights advocates and protesters]: The decrees were a necessary and overdue response to a housing emergency, and the defeat shows that mainstream politics is failing ordinary Spaniards. The protest movement will likely intensify. [Right-wing opposition (PP, Vox, Junts)]: The measures were seen as state overreach that would disincentivize landlords and worsen the housing supply. They argued the government should focus on building more homes rather than imposing eviction bans and rent controls. [Analysts and commentators]: The defeat highlights the fragility of Sánchez's coalition government and the deep partisan divisions in Spanish politics. The weekend's deliberations will determine whether Spain heads to the polls early or the government attempts to renegotiate with opposition parties.

What to Watch

Whether Sánchez announces a snap election or attempts to forge a new deal with smaller parties over the weekend.
The trajectory of the protest movement and whether it escalates into broader demonstrations or strikes.
The response of the European Union and international investors to political uncertainty in Spain's fourth-largest economy.
The fate of Maricarmen Abascal's case and any renewed legal or administrative efforts to offer her alternative housing.