Spanish PM Sánchez Faces Housing Crisis Vote After Eviction of 87-Year-Old Woman
BBC News
In Madrid
Spain's Congress has rejected a series of measures aimed at tackling the country's housing crisis, dealing a blow to the government of Pedro Sánchez and increasing speculation of a snap election.
Lawmakers voted on two decree-laws presented by the government in response to nationwide protests sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, from her home.
The decrees, intended to protect tenants in the rental market, required parliamentary approval to remain in force. However, MPs rejected the first decree by 178 votes to 172 and the second by 184 to 166.
Demonstrators gathered outside Congress during the debate, with angry scenes unfolding after the results were announced. They chanted "Shame on you" and "Your profits, our misery".
This defeat highlights that Sánchez, a Socialist, does not hold a congressional majority, and could lead to early general elections, initially scheduled for next summer. Sources suggest the government will decide its next steps over the weekend, including whether to dissolve parliament.
The government's struggles come amid existing scandals and legal cases affecting its Socialist Party and allies.
Maricarmen Abascal was evicted after facing a sharp rent increase from Urbagestión, the company that owned her Madrid apartment. The eviction sparked widespread protests and a broader movement demanding affordable rentals, which have soared in recent years.
The Sindicato de Inquilinas (Tenants' Union) has been coordinating protests, and during the congressional debate, they announced they were ending their central Madrid tent protest. Instead, they aim to organise in neighborhoods and residential blocks across Madrid and other cities, where they plan to continue the struggle against rental increases, expulsions, and other abuses. Protesters are also calling for a general strike over the housing crisis.
The government's decree-laws, drawn up in response to public anger, included measures to suspend evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, extend rental leases, and impose tax increases on touristic rentals.