Spain’s parliament rejects gov’t housing decrees amid mass protests
The Spanish parliament has rejected two government decrees aimed at addressing the national housing affordability crisis. The measures, which included eviction protections and rent control, were defeated by a coalition of opposition parties who argued the policies would negatively impact the housing market.
Why it matters
The failure of these decrees highlights the intense political polarization in Spain regarding how to manage rising living costs and housing shortages.
Both decrees to tackle housing affordability crisis shot down as critics say measures would tighten the housing market.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Activists protest near the Spanish parliament following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen [Manu Fernandez/AP] By Al Jazeera Staff , AP and Reuters Published On 2 Oct 2026 2 Oct 2026 Spain’s government has lost key votes to ratify emergency measures aimed at tackling the nation’s housing affordability crisis, after protests intensified last month following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman .
The proposed measures, which comprised two separate decrees, were both shot down by the majority of the 350-seat lower house of parliament on Friday.
The move is a heavy blow to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose government faces public pressure, including from the hundreds of protesters who had gathered outside parliament demanding help for renters.
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