LATEST: Spain's lawmakers to vote on housing measures as protests rage

Spanish lawmakers are set to vote on two government housing decrees, with their passage uncertain. The decrees aim to curb speculative practices, extend eviction protections for vulnerable tenants until 2030, and automatically renew existing rental contracts. They were introduced after nationwide demonstrations sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, who had lived in her apartment since 1956.

The Catalan separatist Junts party has announced its opposition to both measures, which could lead to their defeat. According to Politico EU, high-ranking government members suggested that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez might call a snap election if the decrees fail to pass. Sánchez has stated that he will not withdraw the decrees, describing the parliamentary vote as a "breaking point".

Protests are ongoing, with demonstrators demanding that lawmakers take action to help renters amid Spain's housing affordability crisis. The government's potential loss of the votes has raised speculation about a possible snap election, with some reports suggesting a possible date of November 29th, as per The Local Spain.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Local Spain, Politico EU, Winnipeg Free Press, The Local Spain — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.