▲ Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
Tenant protection measures prepared by the Spanish government to resolve the housing shortage have been entirely rejected by parliament.
Following the recent forced eviction of an 87-year-old woman that sparked massive protests, and with the bills failing due to opposition from the political opposition, observations are rising that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez may take a gamble on calling an early general election.
According to AFP and other agencies, the Spanish parliament voted down two legislative decrees on the 2nd (local time), which included the automatic extension of lease contracts until 2028, stricter regulations on short-term rentals, a ban on housing market investments by speculative funds, restrictions on the eviction of vulnerable tenants, and tax benefits for residential leasing and construction.
Not only the conservative opposition People's Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party, but also Together for Catalonia (Junts), a Catalan separatist party that once cooperated with the Sanchez government, cast dissenting votes.
Just before the vote, with thousands protesting outside parliament, Prime Minister Sanchez appealed, "Think of families living in constant anxiety due to soaring rents," but failed to overturn the result.
Spain has suffered from a chronic housing shortage driven by real estate speculation targeting short-term tourist demand.
Recently, massive protests were triggered after Mari Carmen Abascal, 87, who had lived in her Madrid home for over 70 years, was forcibly evicted for failing to afford soaring rent.
Tenant protection groups are demanding stronger measures, such as freezing rents until the housing crisis is resolved and penalizing coercive landlords.
The bill is dubbed the "Mari Carmen Law" after the elderly woman who was forced out of her home.
Analyses suggest that Prime Minister Sanchez, who has led a left-wing minority government, could seize this opportunity to dissolve parliament—whose term runs until next summer—and hold new elections.
Sanchez was already cornered following a massive migrant border-crossing incident in the North African territory of Ceuta last July and allegations of corruption involving his family.
The Sanchez government has refused requests from the Madrid regional government to disperse square occupation protests.
Parliament's vote on this day was conducted by roll call at the ruling camp's request.
The daily El Pais reported, citing government sources, that Prime Minister Sanchez is leaning toward an early general election.
The day before, Prime Minister Sanchez posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "the time of truth has come," demanding that the opposition choose whether to "stand with the social majority or with speculators."
Vox leader Santiago Abascal said, "The sooner an election is held, the better."
An opinion poll published on September 26 showed the People's Party leading with 34 percent support, while the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), to which Prime Minister Sanchez belongs, registered 26 percent.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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