Spain's parliament defeats Sánchez's housing decrees as snap-election talk grows

Spain’s parliament on Friday rejected two emergency housing decrees put forward by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, dealing a heavy political blow to his minority government and triggering speculation he could call an early general election.

The Congress of Deputies voted down the first decree 178 to 172 and the second 184 to 166, after Catalonia’s separatist Junts party — a sometime ally of the left-wing coalition — joined the conservative Popular Party and Vox in voting against both measures.

The decrees sought automatic renewal of rental contracts on expiry, restrictions on the eviction of vulnerable tenants, and measures aimed at so-called vulture funds — investment firms that buy properties at low prices in pursuit of higher returns.

Sánchez addressed lawmakers before the votes, urging them to “forget for a moment political calculations” and back the measures.

The defeat came a week after the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from the Madrid flat she had occupied for seven decades, which sparked nationwide housing protests including a tent encampment at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. The Tenants’ Union vowed further mass rallies for Saturday.

Spanish media including El País and El Mundo reported he is considering a snap election, potentially as early as 29 November if announced on Monday; his office declined to comment. Far-right Vox leader Santiago Abascal said on Friday: “the sooner elections are held, the better.”

Sources

• Sánchez begins reflection on early election as protesters call for general strike — Euronews
• Spain’s government dealt blow as lawmakers reject housing bills — Free Malaysia Today
• Spain housing protesters vow new rallies after parliament vote — Daily Sabah
• Spanish lawmakers reject government housing measure amid protests — The Hindu