# Spanish Parliament Passes New Housing Measures Following Nationwide Protests

Legislators approve eviction restrictions after intense public pressure and a general strike.

- **Source:** [The Local Spain](https://www.thelocal.es)
- **Published:** 2026-11-12
- **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics)
- **Original article:** <
            https://www.thelocal.es/20261112/latest-spanish-parliament-passes-housing-measures-after-protests-and-strike
        >
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/47dd4ab8-56b2-4e59-9749-8dc2c145a147

## Legislative Breakthrough Achieved

The Spanish parliament successfully passed new housing measures on Thursday following weeks of intense public unrest. These regulations aim to increase affordability and provide stronger protections for tenants. The government utilized a smaller parliamentary council to bypass previous legislative gridlock that had stalled similar proposals during earlier sessions this year.

## Catalyst for National Uproar

Public anger reached a boiling point following the September eviction of 87-year-old Madrid pensioner Maricarmen Abascal. Her subsequent death after being forced from her lifelong home triggered massive demonstrations across the country. Protest camps emerged in major cities, most notably in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, demanding immediate government intervention on housing.

## Core Protections for Tenants

The newly approved measures restrict the eviction of vulnerable tenants who lack alternative accommodation until the end of 2030. Additionally, the legislation curbs the ability of vulture funds to acquire residential properties at low prices. These entities have been a primary target of activists who blame them for driving up market rents.

## Failed Automatic Contract Renewals

Despite the government's success, parliament rejected the automatic renewal of tenant contracts, which was a central demand of housing activists. This omission remains a point of contention for those seeking deeper structural reforms. The minority government led by Pedro Sánchez struggled to secure broader support for this specific provision during the session.

## Political Maneuvering and Strategy

Prime Minister Sánchez introduced these decrees after his initial attempts were blocked by the 350-seat chamber. By utilizing the 69-member Standing Council, the government neutralized the influence of Catalan separatist party Junts. The shift in voting structure allowed the minority administration to bypass the opposition that had previously thwarted their legislative agenda.

## Opposition Vows Future Repeal

The conservative Popular Party, currently leading in pre-election polls, has strongly opposed these measures. They argue that the new regulations will negatively impact the housing market and stifle investment. Instead, the opposition advocates for a massive building spree as the primary solution to address Spain's long-standing and severe housing affordability crisis.

## Context of General Strike

The legislative vote followed a massive general strike on Wednesday, where hundreds of thousands of Spaniards protested against rising costs. Demonstrators demanded better wages and improved public services alongside affordable housing. The scale of these protests forced the government to act quickly to placate widespread public anger before the upcoming election.

## Implications for Upcoming Elections

With a snap election scheduled for November 29, the housing crisis has become a defining issue for Spanish voters. The government’s ability to pass these decrees serves as a late attempt to address public grievances. However, the threat of repeal by the opposition ensures that housing policy will remain a central campaign theme.

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_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._