Spanish Parliament Rejects Housing Bills Amid Widespread Protests
The Story
Spain's parliament narrowly rejected two emergency government decrees aimed at addressing the nation's housing crisis, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's minority government.
The decrees, which sought to restrict evictions, curb property speculation, and provide renters with indefinite leases, failed to gain sufficient support. The first decree, intended to stop evictions of vulnerable people and make real estate speculation harder, was defeated by a vote of 178-172. The second decree, proposing automatic and indefinite renewal of rental contracts, failed with a vote of 184-166.
Opposition parties, including the economically right-leaning Junts group, joined conservative and far-right parties in voting down the measures, arguing they could reduce housing supply. The protests were ignited by the eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal from her Madrid home of seven decades on September 23. Spain's average rent has nearly doubled in the last 10 years, with 26% of renters spending an average of 40% of their income on rent and utilities, compared to the EU average of 18%. Some opponents suggested Sánchez might call a snap election. The Tenants' Union vowed to continue protests and encampments.
The Spread
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9 sources placed · 2 from headlines only · 4 not measured
The coverage 13 sources
- Center-LeftThe GuardianSpanish right wing votes down housing crisis plans as protest movement grows (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftAl JazeeraSpain’s parliament rejects gov’t housing decrees amid mass protests (opens the publisher’s site)
- Center-LeftLe Monde (English)Spanish lawmakers reject housing bills amid protests (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterFrance 24Spanish lawmakers vote down affordable housing bills in blow to Sanchez’s government (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterDeutsche WelleSpain's parliament rejects housing bill as protests continue (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterDW EuropeSpain's parliament rejects housing bill as protests continue (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterBBC NewsSpanish PM Sánchez loses key housing crisis vote after eviction of woman, 87 (opens the publisher’s site)
- CenterReading EagleSpain’s government dealt a blow after parliament rejects housing measures amid protests (opens the publisher’s site)
- RightDaily SabahSpain housing protesters vow new rallies after parliament vote (opens the publisher’s site)
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Not measuredMENA FN (Middle East North Africa Financial Network)Spain Rolls Out Housing Decree Ahead of Crucial Vote - Menafn (opens the publisher’s site)