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Protests over Spain’s housing crisis continued in Madrid on Thursday, with more than 300 tents set up in the capital’s central Sol Square. The demonstrations began on Sept. 26 and have received backing from left-wing and far-left civil society groups.
Demonstrators have held public meetings and called for neighborhood committees to be formed to campaign for a general strike over housing. Hundreds banged pots and pans, while smaller demonstrations also took place in Barcelona, Seville and Las Palmas.
What measures are being put to a vote?
Parliament is preparing to vote on two government decrees intended to address the housing crisis. The opposition People’s Party and Vox have said they will vote against the measures, leaving their passage dependent on smaller parties from the Basque Country and Catalonia.
One decree would automatically extend rental contracts indefinitely, with rent increases tied to the consumer price index. Landlords who refuse the extensions would have to compensate tenants. The measure is expected to be rejected.
A second decree, which is expected to pass, would extend some rental contracts by two years and suspend forced evictions until 2030. It would also set new rules for seasonal and room rentals, prevent increases on contracts exceeding housing price index limits, and bar certain high-risk investment funds known as “vulture funds” from buying homes until 2028.
The government says the measures would benefit about 5 million people covered by 1.89 million rental contracts.
Housing crisis remains a major political issue
Housing has become a major political issue in Spain. The debate drew further attention last month after 87-year-old Mari Carmen was forcibly evicted from a Madrid home where she had lived for 70 years.
Following an agreement involving Madrid City Council and a property investment company, she is expected to return to the home under a new eight-year rental contract. She will pay 30% of her pension in rent.
