Spanish PM Sánchez loses key housing crisis vote after eviction of woman, 87

Before his bruising defeat, Pedro Sánchez made a last-ditch appeal to allies to back changes to the law. Spain's Congress has rejected a series of measures aimed at tackling the country's housing crisis, marking a significant defeat for Sánchez's government that increases pressure on him to call a snap election.

Lawmakers voted on two decree-laws presented by the government in response to nationwide protests that followed the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, from her home. The decrees aimed to protect tenants in the rental market and required parliamentary approval to remain in effect. MPs rejected the first decree by 178 votes to 172 and the second by 184 to 166.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Congress during the debate, leading to angry scenes as protesters chanted "shame on you" and "your profits, our misery" after the results were announced. This defeat underscores that Sánchez, a Socialist, does not command a congressional majority, heightening speculation about an early general election, originally scheduled for next summer.

Maricarmen Abascal was evicted after she could not pay a sharp rent increase imposed by Urbagestión, the company that owned her flat in central Madrid. Her eviction sparked widespread protests across the country, demanding affordable rentals, which have surged in recent years. Following public outcry, Urbagestión negotiated Abascal's return to her flat at a lower rent.