Spain Housing Crisis Deepens After Parliament Rejects Government Measures

Spain’s housing crisis has taken a new turn after parliament rejected government measures aimed at protecting vulnerable tenants and easing pressure on renters. The vote on Friday came amid growing protests across the country, following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman that sparked renewed public anger over rising rents and the shortage of affordable housing.

Protesters gathered in Madrid and other cities, demanding stronger action from the government and warning that demonstrations would continue after lawmakers voted against the proposed measures.

The rejected decree included an extension of protections against the eviction of vulnerable tenants until 2030, a two-year extension of rent freezes for existing leases and tighter regulations on short-term rentals.

A second proposal, which sought to introduce automatic and indefinite renewal of rental contracts, was also rejected.

The measures failed after lawmakers from Catalan separatist party Junts joined opposition parties in voting against them. Junts argued that the proposals could make the housing problem worse by discouraging the supply of new homes.

The opposition People’s Party also rejected the measures. PP lawmaker Juan Bravo argued that Spain could not solve its housing problems through government decrees alone and said more homes needed to be built.

The Tenants’ Union, which has been at the centre of the protests, said it would continue its campaign. Union spokesperson Alicia del Rio said protesters planned to expand their encampments and organise further demonstrations, including a possible general strike.

The protests were triggered in part by the eviction of pensioner Maricarmen Abascal last week. Her case became a symbol of the difficulties faced by vulnerable tenants as housing costs continue to rise.

Spain has experienced a sharp increase in housing costs over the past decade. According to the Youth Council of Spain, average rents have reached about €1,176 a month, representing almost 99 per cent of the average salary earned by a young person.

The situation has contributed to many young Spaniards remaining in their parents’ homes well into adulthood. For protesters, the issue goes beyond individual rent increases and reflects wider concerns about housing affordability, security and access to suitable accommodation.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s coalition government holds 147 of the 350 seats in parliament and depends on smaller parties, including Junts, to pass legislation. The rejection of the housing measures therefore highlights the political difficulty of reaching agreement on how the crisis should be addressed.

The parliamentary defeat has also raised questions about Spain’s political future. Spanish media reported that Sánchez could consider calling a snap election if the legislation failed, although his office declined to comment on the reports.

The rejection of the housing measures is unlikely to end Spain’s housing debate. With protesters planning further action and political parties divided over how to increase affordable housing, pressure remains on the government to find a solution that addresses both rising rents and the shortage of homes.

For many Spanish renters, particularly young people and vulnerable households, the immediate concern remains whether they can afford to stay in their homes. The continuing protests suggest that housing will remain a major public issue as the government considers its next steps.