Sánchez announces 21 urgent housing measures after nationwide protests ahead of snap election
Sánchez has come under fire domestically after an 87-year-old woman was evicted from her residence in Madrid, sparking national controversy. Pressure have piled on Sanchez’s administration to step down as protesters accused the government of not doing enough to tackle a rampant housing crisis.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a series of 21 urgent housing measures on Tuesday, following violent protests in Barcelona and nationwide demonstrations over the weekend. The unrest was sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal from her Madrid residence last month. Sánchez's government, which lacks a parliamentary majority, approved the steps after they were rejected by Parliament last week.
The emergency measures aim to facilitate home purchases, extend eviction protections for vulnerable residents, regulate room rentals, impose a tax on seasonal rentals, and prohibit speculative real estate acquisitions. A €10 billion fund will provide loans up to €50,000 for first-time homebuyers, alongside construction subsidies.
The government will implement these measures through an interim legislature, requiring only 35 votes from Sánchez's coalition to pass, as the dissolved Parliament has 350 members. Sánchez emphasized that the issue is not ideological but a matter of common sense, addressing the concerns of millions of Spaniards facing housing affordability challenges amid rising costs and a housing shortage.
Protests in Barcelona turned violent, with activists clashing with police and setting fire to trash containers. Political scientist Alejandro Quiroga argued that Sánchez had no alternative, as early elections would keep the public focused on housing while he takes action.
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