Recent events surrounding the death of María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, have intensified focus on Spain's housing crisis as the country approaches a general election at the end of November. Abascal passed away on Wednesday night, just two weeks after being evicted from her Madrid apartment, where she had lived for most of her life. Her situation has become emblematic of the broader housing issues in Spain, prompting street demonstrations and the establishment of a protest camp in the capital.
Context of the Crisis
The socialist-led government, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, proposed emergency measures aimed at facilitating and protecting access to housing. However, these measures were voted down by right-wing and far-right parties in congress last week. In response, Sánchez announced a snap general election, which has now shifted the spotlight onto housing issues, particularly the impact of evictions on individuals' health, as highlighted by Abascal's lawyer.
Over 42% of Spaniards identify access to housing as their primary concern, with rents increasing by 80% over the past decade. Polling from Spain’s state centre for sociological research indicates that 76.3% of those surveyed support state intervention in the housing market to ensure access for all, while 79% believe housing should be recognized as a constitutional right.
Government's Response
Sánchez's government is working to position itself as the only political force genuinely concerned about tenants' rights and housing affordability. Following the defeat of the initial emergency measures, the government has redrafted them into two new decrees that include:
