Spain housing protests grow after government loses key vote
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Spain after parliament rejected two government housing decrees intended to protect vulnerable tenants and curb property purchases by investment funds. Protesters called for lower rents and an end to evictions. The defeat exposed Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s dependence on smaller parties and raised speculation about an early election.
Tens of thousands of people took part in housing protests across Spain on Saturday, a day after parliament rejected emergency measures proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s coalition government. Around 50 marches were held in cities including Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. Demonstrators demanded lower rents, stronger protection for tenants, an end to evictions and restrictions on investment funds buying residential property.
The protests followed the government’s failure to pass two housing decrees on Friday. One included suspending evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, extending some rental leases, raising taxes on tourist apartments and restricting purchases by so-called “vulture funds”. The other proposed automatic renewal of rental contracts.
The first decree was defeated by 178 votes to 172, while the second failed by 184 votes to 166. The conservative People’s Party and far-right Vox opposed the measures. The minority government also depended on smaller nationalist parties, but Together for Catalonia signalled opposition before the vote.
The demonstrations were intensified by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman after she could not afford a sharp rent increase. The company owning her flat later negotiated her return on a lower rent, but protests continued. In Madrid, estimates of attendance varied.
The city’s Tenants’ Union said 500,000 people joined the demonstration, while government officials put the figure at 70,000. Protesters gathered at Puerta del Sol, where some had camped for days. Clashes were reported in Valencia near a real-estate summit.
Spanish media said police used rubber bullets after some protesters removed barriers and threw objects. Public broadcaster RTVE reported that nine officers were injured and five people arrested. The parliamentary defeat has increased speculation that Sánchez could call an early general election.
His coalition does not hold a majority. The Bank of Spain estimates the country lacks 700,000 homes, while the supplied figures show rising house and rental prices.
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