Opposition lawmakers in Spain have united to reject emergency measures aimed at addressing the country's housing crisis, creating a clash between a divided parliament and a growing protest movement. This decision follows the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was removed from her home of 70 years due to a staggering 230% rent increase.
Protest Outside Parliament
As protesters gathered outside the parliament building in Madrid, they displayed homemade signs featuring images of vultures. The conservative People’s Party, the far-right Vox, and the Catalan pro-independence party Junts voted against a package of decrees proposed by Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist-led coalition. This package included a ban on evictions until 2030 and regulations on temporary lettings and room rentals.
Juan Bravo, a lawmaker from the People’s Party, stated,
“"Housing doesn’t become more affordable through decrees; it becomes more affordable by building more homes."
The rejection of these measures was met with boos from the crowd, who chanted,
“"Your profits, our misery."
