Spanish Congress Rejects Housing Crisis Measures Amid Protests

Spain's Congress has rejected two decree-laws aimed at addressing the country's housing crisis, marking a setback for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's government. The votes occurred in the context of public protests following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her home. The first decree was rejected by 178 votes to 172, while the second was voted down 184 to 166. Demonstrators gathered outside Congress during the debate, expressing their dissatisfaction with chants such as 'shame on you' and 'your profits, our misery.' The defeat highlights Sánchez's lack of a congressional majority and has led to speculation about a potential early general election. The government is reportedly considering its next steps over the weekend, including the possibility of dissolving parliament. Abascal's eviction was due to an inability to pay a rent increase from her landlord, Urbagestión. Following her eviction, protests erupted across Spain, demanding affordable housing. Although Urbagestión has negotiated Abascal's return at a lower rent, protests continue, with calls for a general strike over the housing crisis. The government's proposed measures included suspending evictions for vulnerable tenants until 2030 and extending rental leases. However, opposition from the conservative People's Party and far-right Vox, along with the withdrawal of support from the pro-independence Together for Catalonia party, contributed to the decrees' failure. Sánchez urged lawmakers to support the measures, emphasizing their necessity for societal stability. Critics, including JxCat's Miriam Nogueras, argued that the decrees lacked thoroughness and could exacerbate the housing crisis.