# 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. - **Source:** [El Mundo – Portada](https://www.elmundo.es) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1d3bd30e-b547-49b5-8338-6d6394a862b2 ## PNV 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. ## Severe 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%. ## Legislative 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. ## PNV'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. ## Expert 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. ## Regional 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. ## Historical 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. ## Future 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. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.elmundo.es/economia/2026/11/07/6aedc605e9cf4aff5d8b4576.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._