Sánchez suffers defeat in housing crisis vote

02.10.2026 19:26 HotInfo

The Spanish parliament on Friday rejected two government proposals aimed at addressing the housing crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez thus suffered a significant political defeat, as the measures failed to secure the necessary support due to opposition from the Popular Party, the Vox party, and the Catalan Junts movement. aktuality.sk ↗

The proposals were meant to respond to rising rents, the shortage of affordable housing, and the pressure faced by vulnerable tenants. The vote took place following a series of protests across Spain, which were also triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her apartment in Madrid. The case became a symbol of the broader housing crisis and increased pressure on the government. The Guardian ↗

Junts rejected both decrees despite Sánchez's last-minute attempt to persuade the party to support them. The Catalan separatists demanded that the proposals be reworked and that a new text be submitted that would take their conditions into account. The government also faced criticism for failing to secure a parliamentary majority for measures it had described as urgent. El Mundo ↗

The defeat has opened a debate about possible early elections. According to Spanish media, representatives of the governing Socialist Party are considering calling them if parliament rejects key government proposals. Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo called on Sánchez to announce elections as soon as possible. The government's next steps will depend on negotiations with Junts and on public reaction to the ongoing housing crisis. Tagesspiegel ↗