Wohnungsnot in Spanien: Medien: Spaniens Notparlament soll Mieterschutz absegnen

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, according to consistent media reports, intends to have the Spanish Parliament vote again on measures for better tenant protection following his party's defeat on Friday. These proposals are expected to be decided by the Cabinet on Tuesday, as soon as the Parliament declares the newly called elections on November 29th to be dissolved through an announcement in the Official State Gazette.

This would take place in a sort of emergency Parliament where the government and its supporters hold the majority.

In such a scenario, a Standing Committee, a type of emergency or mini-parliament, would assume the work. This is provided for by the constitution for weeks without a sitting per year and after the dissolution of the regular Parliament. The emergency Parliament consists of 68 Members of Parliament and a Chairperson, chosen proportionally to the strength of the factions. However, rounding in seat allocation often shifts the exact majority ratios. Under the current configuration, Sánchez has a majority.

This situation currently applies, leading to a blockade axis consisting of the conservative People's Party (PP), the right-wing populist Vox, and the conservative separatist Catalan party Junts, which only has 34 votes. The government parties PSOE and Sumar can count on 35 votes with support from regional parties. The government could thus implement its plans for better protection of tenants against forcible evictions, restrictions on real estate funds, and incentives for property ownership.

The opposition, which rejected the tenant protection decrees on Friday, arguing they would only worsen the housing market, is expected to oppose the impending procedure. The conservative newspaper "El Mundo" wrote of "law breaking". A constitutional lawsuit could trigger a multi-month phase of legal uncertainty. Furthermore, the opposition might revoke or significantly amend the measures in case of a possible election victory.