Spain’s housing crisis has become the central issue behind Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s decision to call a snap general election for November 29.
The decision followed parliament’s rejection of two government-backed housing measures aimed at easing pressure on renters and strengthening protections for vulnerable tenants.
The measures were defeated on Friday after the conservative Popular Party, Vox and Catalan party Junts voted against them. The proposals included stronger protections against evictions, regulation of temporary and room rentals, and measures targeting rising rental costs.
Housing Protests Spread Across Spain
The parliamentary defeat came amid nationwide protests over rising rents, housing shortages and tenant insecurity.
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid and other cities, while protesters established a tent camp in central Madrid demanding urgent government action on housing.
The protests were intensified by the case of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for about 70 years.
Her eviction became a focal point for campaigners highlighting rising rents and the difficulties faced by tenants struggling to remain in their homes.
Spain Faces Rising Housing Costs
Housing affordability has become a major issue as rents and property prices have increased while the supply of affordable homes remains limited.
Reuters reported that Spain faces a projected housing deficit of about one million homes by 2028, while affordability has become particularly difficult for younger adults.
The crisis has also exposed differences over how Spain should respond.
While Sánchez’s government has backed stronger tenant protections and restrictions affecting the rental market, the opposition Popular Party has argued for increasing housing construction and easing planning restrictions.
Housing Now Dominates Political Debate
Sánchez said the country needs broader political support to advance his programme, announcing the November 29 election after the housing measures failed in parliament.
The election will now put housing policy at the centre of Spain’s national political debate, with questions over rents, new housing supply, tenant protection and access to affordable accommodation likely to remain major issues.
