Spain Passes Housing Decrees Amid Protests, Calls Early Election
Spain’s government approves urgent housing measures amid nationwide protests and prepares for snap election.
2 min read
Spain’s government has passed 21 urgent housing decrees aimed at addressing the country’s worsening housing crisis, following nationwide protests sparked by the eviction of an elderly woman from her long-time home. The measures, introduced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s left-wing coalition, seek to curb high rents and prevent evictions, despite political pushback and a lack of parliamentary majority.
Protests Triggered by Eviction of 87-Year-Old Woman
The protests began on September 23, 2026, after the eviction of María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who had lived in her Madrid apartment for 70 years. Her home was repossessed after new owners drastically increased her rent, making it unaffordable. Abascal, known as ‘Maricarmen,’ became a symbol of Spain’s housing crisis, prompting public outrage and a national conversation about affordability and tenant rights.
Despite the initial backlash, a compromise allowed Abascal to return to her home just days later. However, the anger over the incident and broader housing issues continued to grow, leading to the introduction of emergency decrees targeting high rents and evictions.
Government Faces Political Resistance and Calls for Election
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government faced significant resistance from conservative opposition parties, which argued that the proposed measures—such as long-term eviction bans and rent freezes—would reduce the supply of rental properties, discourage property owners from renting, and ultimately worsen the housing shortage. Despite this, lawmakers ultimately passed measures nearly identical to the original proposal.
With mounting political pressure and a lack of parliamentary support, Sánchez announced plans for an early national election on November 29, 2026. He vowed to prevent further evictions like the one suffered by Maricarmen, stating, “We will not allow any more evictions like the one Maricarmen suffered or like those that have occurred since the decrees were repealed.”
The government also announced the creation of a €10 billion fund to provide construction subsidies and first-home loans of up to €50,000. However, since the Parliament was dissolved for the snap election, these measures must be ratified by a 69-member interim legislature. Sánchez’s coalition needs just 35 votes to pass the measures.
Source: OANN
