{
  "id": 11477196,
  "title": "Spain’s government dealt blow as lawmakers reject housing bills",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/spains-government-dealt-blow-as-lawmakers-reject-housing-bills",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T15:34:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/02/spain-s-government-dealt-blow-as-lawmakers-reject-housing-bills"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Spain's parliament has rejected two housing bills aimed at addressing nationwide protests over the housing crisis, a setback for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his centre-left government ahead of the 2027 general elections. The rejection, with 184 lawmakers voting against and 166 in favour, dealt a blow to the government's efforts to quell the demonstrations sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman. Protesters outside the parliament building expressed their disappointment, vowing to continue fighting against high rents and unaffordable housing. The rejection of the bills comes after the Catalan separatist Junts party opposed them, complicating the government's efforts since it relies on the party's support for passing legislation. The government had negotiated the bills with the business-friendly Junts party, but the party demanded the measures to be redrafted. Spain has been gripped by protests for a week, including a tent city in Madrid, to demand swift action against unaffordable housing and call for a general strike to pressure politicians. The eviction of the 87-year-old woman, Maricarmen Abascal, became a symbol of growing frustration over housing affordability, and the government had to reverse her eviction after her case gained attention. Protesters called for a general strike and for the tent camp in Madrid's central Puerta del Sol to remain until their demands are met, increasing pressure on Sanchez's minority government and the possibility of early elections.",
  "summary": "The rejection of the two measures dealt a blow to prime minister Pedro Sanchez and his government ahead of general elections scheduled for 2027.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Spain housing protests rage ahead of key government vote",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/spain-housing-protests-rage-ahead-of-key-government-vote",
        "published": "2026-10-02T12:54:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Spain’s parliament rejects gov’t housing decrees amid mass protests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/spains-parliament-rejects-govt-housing-decrees-amid-mass-protests",
        "published": "2026-10-02T15:01:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Spain’s government dealt blow as lawmakers reject housing bills",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/spains-government-dealt-blow-as-lawmakers-reject-housing-bills-11479504",
        "published": "2026-10-02T15:34:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}