Spanish lawmakers vote on emergency housing decrees after Madrid protests

Parliamentary vote over housing

The Spanish Congress of Deputies is voting on Friday on two emergency government decrees designed to overhaul tenant protections and curb rising housing costs across the country. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made a direct appeal to lawmakers from the parliamentary podium minutes before the session, urging them to put aside partisan divisions and support the measures. The minority coalition government holds 147 seats in the 350-seat chamber, leaving it dependent on regional allies to pass legislation. Both the conservative Popular Party and the right-wing Vox have pledged to vote against the decrees, leaving the outcome in the hands of the Catalan nationalist party Junts.

Think of the ordinary people, those who need the protection of public institutions the most.

Legislative measures and political resistance

The two decrees, approved by the cabinet on 29 September 2026, introduce extensive changes to tenancy regulations. The first decree suspends evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, extends an existing freeze on rental prices for two years, and tightens rules on short-term holiday leases while offering tax incentives for new residential construction. The second decree establishes the automatic renewal of rental contracts upon expiration, effectively converting them into indefinite leases, and obligates landlords who cancel contracts to pay tenants compensation equal to 12 months of rent. However, the seven lawmakers of Junts announced on Thursday that they will oppose both decrees, arguing that the regulations will shrink housing supply.

Many of the measures included will have the opposite effect of what is intended: they will reduce the supply of housing for rent, increase prices and make access to housing even more difficult for people with limited financial means.

Rising costs and public demonstrations

The parliamentary vote follows days of demonstrations after the eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal from her Madrid home of 70 years, which occurred after an investment fund bought the property and increased the rent. Protesters established an encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, while police deployed around the parliament building on Friday. Housing pressure has mounted across Spain, where the Bank of Spain estimates a shortfall of 700,000 homes in a population of 50 million. According to property portal Idealista, average rents climbed from €8.20 per square metre in 2016 to €15.10 in 2026. The Spanish Youth Council reports that average monthly rent reached €1,176, consuming 98.7% of a young worker's average monthly earnings.

I do not know what could happen if elections are called, but we will continue to fight in the streets and the atmosphere will continue to resemble a general strike.

Snap election prospect

A defeat on the floor of Congress could trigger an early general election before the end of the year, ahead of the regularly scheduled vote in 2027. Government sources cited by Spanish newspaper El País indicated that Sánchez is considering calling a snap election if the housing decrees fail, with news outlet Eldiario.es citing 29 November 2026 as a potential date. Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz declined to rule out an early election during an interview with Cadena SER, stating that she had discussed the parliamentary situation with Sánchez earlier in the week.