The government’s decision to divide key social initiatives into two separate decrees came as a surprise for millions of Spaniards. Issues of pensions and protection for vulnerable families are now being considered separately, which may affect the speed and nature of their approval in parliament. For many, this means that support could arrive sooner, though not without new political conflicts.
An unexpected compromise
After lengthy negotiations between coalition partners and parliamentary groups, including PSOE and Sumar, the government decided: one decree will focus exclusively on pensions and social protection issues, while the second will cover the remaining package of measures, including anti-crisis initiatives and protection against evictions. This move is the result of pressure from Sumar, who insisted on preserving the integrity of the ‘social shield’ and did not want individual measures to be put at risk.
In the final hours before the Cabinet meeting, discussions continued nonstop. Options changed up until the very start of the meeting, and the final decision was made just minutes before it began. At that time, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was in Dubai, while key negotiations were taking place in an adjacent room where ministers usually have coffee before the meeting.
Political disagreements
Special attention was given to the fate of the eviction moratorium. Initially, it was planned to issue it as a separate decree, but concerns from Sumar that in this case the initiative would not pass through parliament led to its combination with other social measures. As a result, the package also included payments to victims of natural disasters and improved retirement conditions for firefighters.
The moratorium was eased: it no longer applies to small property owners who own two apartments, one of which they rent out to supplement their income. This was a concession agreed with the Basque party PNV, but not with the Catalan independent deputies from Junts, who did not sign the agreement. Nevertheless, this move could signal a new phase in negotiations with the Catalans.
Party responses
PNV has publicly supported expanding protections for owners who rent out their only property, aiming to reduce their risks in the event of missed rent payments. However, not everyone in the coalition is satisfied: Podemos leader Ione Belarra sharply criticized the compromise with the nationalists, calling it “outrageous” and accusing colleagues of betraying the interests of vulnerable tenants.
Sumar insists that rights should not be divided into “first-class” and “second-class,” and that all measures must be adopted together. Their position is to prevent right-wing parties from being able to vote against individual initiatives divided into separate documents.
Details of the new measures
The final decree included not only anti-crisis measures, but also assistance for those affected by natural disasters, as well as a ban on cutting off utilities for tens of thousands of families. Whether these measures will become permanent remains uncertain: representatives of Izquierda Unida are calling for them to be enshrined in law to avoid annual disputes and the threat of repeal.
At the same time, Sumar representatives acknowledge that political math forces compromises. Not all property owners will receive tax benefits, but most families at risk of eviction will be protected. Parliamentary debates continue over how to balance the interests of renters and homeowners.
Context and consequences
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly faced the need to extend or adjust social support measures introduced during the pandemic. Each time, the discussion was marked by tense debates among parties and the search for compromise to ensure the most vulnerable citizens were not left unprotected. In 2024, similar debates erupted over extending the eviction moratorium and providing aid to those affected by floods. Then, as now, the positions of regional parties and pressure from coalition partners played a key role. The government’s new decision may set a precedent for future reforms, when social initiatives will be considered separately to increase their chances of being approved in parliament.
