Spain approves housing reforms after nationwide general strike

Spain’s parliament has approved a government package aimed at easing the country’s housing crisis. According to AnewZ, the vote took place on Thursday, November 12, a day after workers held the country’s first general strike in 14 years to protest rising housing costs.

The measures protect people in vulnerable situations from eviction until the end of 2030. Some rental contracts due to expire by the end of 2028 will be extended, while some rent increases will be capped until the end of 2027.

Landlords who reduce rents will receive tax breaks. Those renting out homes to tourists in high-demand areas will face fines.

A proposal for the automatic extension of rental contracts was rejected. Several parties, including the People’s Party (PP) and Vox, voted against it.

Housing is a key issue in the election campaign

The proposal’s rejection is a setback for Spain’s centre-left PSOE party and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who have made housing a central issue in their re-election campaign. At his first rally after calling the vote, Sanchez said: “Every generation has its own struggle — ours is the struggle for housing.”

Spain’s election will be held on November 29. Most polls put the PSOE behind the right-wing PP. However, the PP is not expected to win a majority and may need support from the far-right Vox to form a government. The PP has pledged to repeal the measures if it takes office.

General strike disrupts transport

On Wednesday, November 11, millions of workers took part in a 24-hour nationwide strike. The walkout disrupted public transport, while numerous businesses and shops closed for the day.

Spain’s UGT and CCOO trade unions organised the strike to protest the country’s housing crisis. The issue became one of the main topics of national debate in September after 87-year-old Mariarmen Abascal was evicted from her home in Madrid. The pensioner died several days later.

According to polls conducted in October by market research company YouGov, 53% of Spaniards consider housing the most important problem facing the country.