Spain Addresses Housing Crisis After Public Outcry

Spain's cabinet passed new measures to curb the country's housing crisis, including a ban on evictions until 2030, tighter rules for short-term rentals, and a two-year extension for existing leases.

The new policies seek to address long-standing issues within the rental market, which have prompted widespread public discontent and demonstrations across the nation.

Maria Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, was forcibly removed on a stretcher from her Madrid apartment, where she had lived for over 70 years, after being unable to pay a raised rent.

Public outcry and protests pressured the property company, leading to a deal that allows her to return to her home at an amount similar to her previous rent.

Hundreds of people have set up tents in central Madrid as part of ongoing protests, expressing anger at the rental market situation, with Maria Carmen Abascal's case serving as a catalyst for this broader national movement.

Activists remain skeptical about the government's intentions, emphasizing the need for official approval of the decree and legislative changes to address the systemic housing crisis effectively.

The new housing measures have been issued as a government decree by Pedro Sánchez’s coalition, a move that requires subsequent approval from Congress to remain in effect.

The coalition government currently lacks a parliamentary majority, making the upcoming vote a significant hurdle for the proposed reforms and creating uncertainty regarding their ultimate implementation.