Government housing measures fail in Congress
The full sitting of Spain’s Congress of Deputies has rejected two royal decree-laws on housing introduced by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government. The measures, aimed at protecting vulnerable families from evictions and extending rental contracts, were defeated on Friday, 2 October 2026, following opposition from PP, Vox, Junts and UPN. The first decree was rejected by 178 votes against and 172 in favour. The second, which did not secure support from PNV or Coalición Canaria, failed by 184 votes against and 166 in favour. The government had hoped to convoke the decrees as urgent measures in response to the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen in Madrid, which triggered nationwide protests.
Sánchez warns of historical judgment
Before the vote, Sánchez addressed MPs directly, urging them to "do the right thing" and warning that if they rejected the decrees, "history will judge you sooner than you think, and more harshly than you can imagine." His remarks came amid speculation about early elections, with some socialist sources suggesting a possible date of 29 November. Despite last-minute negotiations, Junts maintained its position, with Míriam Nogueras stating the decrees would not stop speculation or evictions. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez had appealed to Junts to abstain or support the first decree, offering to refine it later through full legislative process.
"Podem votar avui i estar amb la gent, avançar en un text en aquesta cambra, o podem fallar, és l’hora de la veritat,"
, Isabel Rodríguez, Minister of Housing
Protests and political backlash
Outside the Congress, hundreds of demonstrators from the Sindicat de Llogateres protested, some chanting for a general strike and accusing the government of hypocrisy. After the vote, attendees in the public gallery shouted "vulture funds govern Congress" and threw leaflets at departing MPs before being removed by ushers. Inside, ERC’s Gabriel Rufián held up a €50 note, calling it Junts’ true flag. Podemos leader Ione Belarra said PP, Vox and Junts would be "responsible" for future evictions. Gerardo Pisarello of Comuns accused the three parties of cruelty, while Tesh Sidi of Sumar asked Junts how many suicides it would take before they supported housing protections. PNV’s Maribel Vaquero lamented that "blindness and intolerance" had blocked agreement during a housing emergency. Bildu’s Oskar Matute criticised the Spanish, Catalan and Basque right for opposing the measures. The PP, meanwhile, accused the government of exploiting Maricarmen’s case to cover up eight years of failed housing policy. Vox leader Santiago Abascal demanded early elections, calling for them to be "transparent and free of tricks." Junts presented an alternative proposal including temporary rent contract renewals, tax breaks, and a freeze on evictions from properties owned by large landlords until 31 December 2028.
Reported by viaempresa.cat, euronews.com, lasexta.com, diariodenavarra.es, lavanguardia.com, Tarragona Ràdio, newtral.es, ultimahora.es, El Periódico (CA).
