Spanish Government's Housing Decree Sunk in Congressional Vote
Spain's government lost a critical vote in Congress on October 2 on its plans to tackle a housing crisis that has sparked public protests intensified by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman.
The decree was rejected by 178 votes in the 350-seat lower house, after the government's erstwhile ally, the right-wing Catalan separatist party Junts, said the measures would ultimately tighten the housing market. The ruling Socialists govern as a minority with 147 seats.
The defeated measures included new restrictions on landlords, protections for vulnerable tenants and steps to limit rent pressures. The decrees had taken effect on September 30 and October 1 but required parliamentary ratification within 30 days, making Junts' late reversal decisive.
Spanish media later reported that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was considering a snap election if the housing reforms failed to stand. Housing shortages and surging rents have topped Spanish voters' concerns for three straight years.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Leon del Congreso de los Diputados - Madrid 01.jpg，作者：Javier Perez Montes，授权：CC BY-SA 4.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
