PNV to Support 'Maricarmen' Decree Despite Sharp Rental Supply Decline
Basque nationalists maintain support for housing legislation despite a 27% drop in regional rental listings.
1PNV Confirms Legislative Support
The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) has officially confirmed its intention to vote in favor of the first housing decree, known as the Maricarmen decree, on November 12. Despite significant political pressure and declining rental availability in their home territory, the party maintains that the legislation includes essential measures for housing market regulation.
2Severe Rental Market Contraction
Data from the real estate portal Idealista indicates that rental supply in the Basque Country has plummeted following the decree's provisional approval. Vitoria has seen a 27% drop in listings, while San Sebastian and Bilbao recorded declines of 24% and 21% respectively, significantly exceeding the national average reduction of 19%.
3Legislative Context and Strategy
The government, led by Pedro Sanchez, secured the base of these decrees after calling early elections. By utilizing the Permanent Deputation, a parliamentary format that offers more government control, the administration bypassed the need for Junts' support. The PNV remains a crucial partner for the government to ensure the decree's successful passage.
4PNV's Stance on Regulations
The PNV distinguishes between the two proposed housing decrees, supporting the first while rejecting the second. They argue the first decree addresses critical gaps, such as seasonal rental regulations and protections for small owners with two or fewer properties. Conversely, they view the second decree as a harmful attack on small property owners.
5Expert Skepticism on Impact
Real estate experts contest the PNV's assessment, suggesting the first decree is the primary driver of the supply collapse. They note that the second decree, which includes mandatory 12-month indemnities, was widely expected to fail. Critics argue these interventions are exacerbating an already severe housing crisis in the Basque region and Catalonia.
6Regional Housing Policy Dynamics
The Basque government, a coalition of PNV and socialists, currently applies the national Housing Law in specific tensioned zones. While they resist calls from EH Bildu to declare the entire autonomous community as a tensioned area, they continue to implement selective rent caps in coordination with local municipalities to expand affordable housing.
7Historical Legislative Background
The current debate follows the repeal of previous housing decrees by the Congress of Deputies on September 29. The government's renewed efforts to pass these measures reflect a broader struggle to balance tenant protections with market stability. The PNV's specific focus remains on shielding small-scale landlords from perceived excessive regulatory overreach.
8Future Market Implications
As the November 12 vote approaches, the focus shifts to whether these legislative measures will stabilize the rental market or further reduce available inventory. The PNV's strategy of selective intervention highlights the ongoing tension between national housing mandates and regional autonomy in managing local property markets across Spain's diverse autonomous communities.