Brief
Spain’s right‑wing parties reject housing crisis decrees amid growing protests
Conservative parties voted against a ban on evictions until 2030 and tighter rental rules, prompting backlash from demonstrators in Madrid.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Right‑wing lawmakers in Spain rejected a package of emergency housing measures proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist coalition, as protesters gathered outside the parliament building in Madrid.
What happened
The People’s Party, far‑right Vox and Catalan pro‑independence Junts voted against decrees that would ban evictions until 2030 and regulate temporary lettings. The vote took place on 2 October 2026, with boos heard from the crowd outside the parliament.
What the reports add
The Guardian reported that the People’s Party justified its vote by arguing that “building, rather than regulating, was the best way to address the crisis,” quoting lawmaker Juan Bravo. Protesters held homemade signs with images of vultures and chanted “Your profits, our misery.” The article also noted a recent poll suggesting two‑thirds of Spaniards support government intervention in the housing market.
What was said
Juan Bravo told The Guardian, “Housing doesn’t become more affordable through decrees; it becomes more affordable by building more homes.” Prime Minister Sánchez responded on social media, saying, “You’re with the social majority or with speculators,” and warned the vote would reveal the “true colours” of the right‑wing parties.
How it came about
The vote follows weeks of protests sparked by the eviction of 87‑year‑old Maricarmen Abascal, who was forced out after a 230 % rent hike. The eviction triggered a large protest camp in Puerta del Sol, documented in Felo’s earlier coverage Madrid protest camp grows after 87‑year‑old eviction. The housing crisis has seen rents rise 80 % in a decade and home prices climb 63 %.
Key facts
- People’s Party, Vox and Junts voted against housing crisis decrees on 2 Oct 2026 (theguardian.com)
- The rejected package included a ban on evictions until 2030 and regulation of temporary lettings (theguardian.com)
- Juan Bravo said building homes, not regulations, is the solution (theguardian.com)
- Protesters chanted “Your profits, our misery” outside parliament (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Spanish right wing votes down housing crisis plans as protest movement grows”
