Spain's government approved a package of 21 urgent housing measures on Tuesday, responding to nationwide protests and a political crisis triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid. The move comes just days after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election for 29 November, following a legislative defeat on housing decrees.
The measures, similar to those rejected by Parliament last week, aim to ease access to housing, extend eviction protections for vulnerable residents, regulate room rentals, impose a new tax on seasonal lets, and prohibit speculative real estate purchases. The government also plans a €10 billion fund offering loans of up to €50,000 for first-time buyers, alongside construction subsidies.
Speaking at the Moncloa Palace, Sánchez said: “We will not allow any more evictions like the one Maricarmen suffered or like those that have occurred since the decrees were repealed.” He referred to María del Carmen Abascal, whose eviction last month sparked public outrage and set off the protests.
Interim legislature to ratify measures
Because Parliament has been dissolved ahead of the snap election, the measures will be put to an interim legislature of 69 members, rather than the usual 350. Sánchez's coalition needs just 35 votes to pass them, a lower threshold than in the full chamber. He appealed for cross-party support, saying: “We are not talking about an ideological issue, but about common sense.”
“Many Spaniards are waiting for solutions, not just those gathering in town squares, nor the thousands of protesters in the streets. I’m referring to millions of citizens who are waiting for their representatives to show the courage to stand up to the powerful, rather than submit to them,” he added.
The protests, which drew tens of thousands across Spain, turned violent in Barcelona on Monday. What began as a peaceful march escalated when groups of activists clashed with police, throwing stones and setting fire to trash containers. The unrest followed a weekend of demonstrations, all linked to the housing crisis and the eviction of Abascal.
Alejandro Quiroga, professor of political science at Madrid’s Complutense University, argued that using the interim legislature was constitutional and a necessary political move. “I don’t think Sánchez had an alternative,” he said. “If you are calling early elections so you can keep the public’s focus on housing, you can’t just sit back and do nothing about it. That wouldn’t have been smart.”
The housing crisis has become a central issue in Spanish politics, despite the country’s strong economic growth as Europe’s fourth-largest economy. Rising costs and a shortage of affordable homes are pricing many citizens out of the market. Protesters have demanded stronger tenant protections, measures to combat fraud, and a ban on evictions when alternative housing is unavailable.
The snap election comes as Sánchez seeks to turn the housing crisis into an electoral asset, as analysts have noted. The move also follows other challenges, including the Ceuta crisis that has eroded his political narrative. Meanwhile, similar housing-related tensions have been seen elsewhere in Europe, such as student protests in France, though those focus on education funding.
The government’s approval of these measures is a significant step, but the political landscape remains uncertain. With the election just weeks away, Sánchez is betting that decisive action on housing will resonate with voters. The interim legislature’s vote will be a key test of whether the measures can be implemented before the new Parliament convenes.
