Wohnungsnot: Spaniens Regierung beschließt erneut Mieterschutz-Maßnahmen

Madrid - After failing to pass a package of measures for increased tenant protection in parliament and announcing upcoming elections, Spain's ruling left-wing government has decided to take two amended decrees to address the housing crisis again. These decrees must still be approved by parliament, but the vote will occur in an emergency parliament, the Standing Committee, after the regular parliament is dissolved.

The minority Sanchez-led government, along with regional parties, has a narrow majority. This special or mini-parliament of 68 members, with a president, takes over parliament's work during recesses or after elections. Members are selected proportionally based on the strength of their factions; however, rounding in seat allocation often shifts the exact majority.

Currently, the opposition coalition of conservative People's Party (PP), right-wing Vox, and conservative Catalan separatist Junts, which previously overturned the rental decrees, holds only 34 votes. The ruling PSOE and Sumar parties can proceed with support from regional parties, totaling 35 votes. The government could thus pursue plans to better protect tenants from forced evictions, restrict real estate funds, and incentivize homeownership.

The opposition harshly criticized the government's move, arguing that the decrees would only worsen the housing market situation. The PP's Murcia regional president, Fernando López Miras, accused Sánchez of using "trickery" to bypass the parliament's clear rejection of the decrees through the "back door in the Standing Committee," calling it a violation of parliamentary procedure. The situation hints at a risky gamble by Sánchez, betting on the anger of renters.