Spanish PM announces new housing decrees amid protests

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez unveiled two decrees on Tuesday aimed at addressing the housing crisis across the nation, following the rejection of similar measures by parliament in a previous week. The protests over Spain's housing crisis have been ongoing since the eviction of an 87-year-old pensioner from her lifelong residence last month, leading to mass demonstrations in Madrid and the establishment of a large camp in the capital.

Sanchez assured that the new decrees preserve the core elements of the previously rejected legislation. They will be assessed by a special parliamentary council established during the dissolution of parliament prior to the upcoming November 29 election, potentially enhancing the likelihood of their passage. The decrees contain 21 measures, including positive additions to the unsuccessful laws.

This Special Council comprises 69 members, reflecting the composition of parliamentary groups, which could bolster Sanchez's prospects of securing at least one decree's approval.

The pro-business Catalan separatists Junts, which had previously voted against both measures, would no longer hold decisive influence in the council, as it now contains only one of their MPs. Conversely, Basque separatists PNV, with a single representative, supported one decree that introduced stronger eviction protections but opposed the second decree that automatically renewed tenant contracts.