Spain Approves Urgent Housing Decrees After Barcelona Unrest

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration approved a package of urgent housing measures following a night of unrest in Barcelona that saw tens of thousands of demonstrators clash with police. The decrees, which mirror proposals rejected by Parliament the previous Friday, will be sent to the interim “permanent commission” – a 69-member body that remains active until the scheduled general election on November 29 – for ratification.

Associated Press

Protests across Spain intensified after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, prompting a massive march in Barcelona that was postponed due to a severe weather alert. The demonstration, initially peaceful, turned violent when groups of activists confronted police, throwing stones and igniting trash containers. Demonstrators have been demanding stronger tenant protections, anti-fraud measures, and a ban on evictions when alternative housing is unavailable.

Barrhead News

Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez told reporters that the new measures will extend eviction protection for vulnerable Spaniards until 2030, introduce regulation of room rentals, impose a new tax on seasonal rentals, ban speculative real-estate purchases, and provide tax breaks to landlords. Sánchez is slated to hold a news conference later Tuesday to outline the government’s rationale.

Seattle Times

Political scientist Alejandro Quiroga, professor of political science at Madrid’s Complutense University, said the use of the interim legislature was and added, “I don’t think Sánchez had an alternative.” He argued that calling early elections to keep public focus on housing would make inaction “not smart.”

Associated Press

• “I don’t think Sánchez had an alternative,” — Parliament. Alejandro Quiroga, professor of political science at Madrid’s Complutense University

Associated Press