Spain’s Congress faces a critical vote on Pedro Sánchez’s housing decrees after the eviction of Maricarmen in Madrid. With Junts demanding new negotiations and protests erupting nationwide, the government’s future hangs in the balance.
Tempers flared in Spain’s Congress as lawmakers faced a decision that could topple Pedro Sánchez’s coalition. The government’s emergency housing decrees, rushed forward after the eviction of Maricarmen in Madrid, now face a wall of opposition. The decrees ban evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, freeze rents for two more years, and tighten rules on short-term rentals. Reuters reports these measures have become a lightning rod in the national debate.
Inside the chamber, the mood turned tense. Carlos Hernández from Vox warned that the new rules would scare landlords away from renting to those most in need. Sumar’s Alberto Ibáñez fired back, accusing critics of pushing hundreds toward eviction and even suicide. The pain was clear as Gerardo Pisarello, also with Sumar, spoke of Maricarmen and others forced from their homes. The Council of Ministers approved the decrees on September 29, 2026. Congress took them up for ratification on October 2. The clock is ticking.
The Junts party, with just 7 deputies, holds the balance of power in Congress and its refusal to support the housing decrees has sharply reduced the government’s chances of passing them.
Junts holds the swing votes. The party has refused to back Sánchez’s plan. Spokesperson Nogueras slammed the decrees, saying they just shift the burden onto other families. She pointed to 20,000 evictions since Sánchez took office. Junts wants both decrees withdrawn and new talks to start. They have put their own proposal on the table. ERC’s Gabriel Rufián hit back at Junts in the chamber. Spanish media report that Junts claims the measures would shrink the rental supply, push up prices, and make it even harder for low-income families to find a home.
Bildu threatened to take the fight to the streets if the decrees fail. PNV blamed Sánchez for the deadlock. The Partido Popular, Vox, and UPN have already said no. Their bloc stands firm against the government. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez called for a cross-party deal to stop more evictions. She criticized the Partido Popular for skipping housing debates. Rodríguez urged Junts to at least abstain, so the bill could move forward as urgent. She stressed, as Cadena SER reported, that the new rules are meant to stop more vulnerable people from losing their homes.
Outside, the pressure is building. Tenant groups have rallied in more than twenty cities. They want stronger renter protections and urgent changes to housing policy. The Puerta del Sol has become a protest hotspot. Public anger is rising. Reuters confirms the housing package was drafted as protests broke out over the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal. Tents and demonstrations have filled Madrid and other cities.
A second housing decree, which would have introduced automatic and indefinite extensions of rental contracts, was already considered doomed due to a lack of votes even before the main vote in Congress.
The vote will be public. Each deputy must say their choice out loud. The result could decide the fate of the decrees—and the government. If Sánchez loses, early elections may follow. The session started at 11:00 and is set to last about four hours. Every minute raises the stakes for the coalition. Spanish media say PP, Vox, and UPN had already declared their opposition before the vote. PNV and Podemos were still split or undecided on parts of the package.
This crisis didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier reports show Junts already faced anger from its own voters over housing. The crisis is shaking up political loyalties and showing the limits of alliances in Parliament.
One thing is certain. Spain’s housing emergency has become a test for its fractured politics. The government’s answer to public outrage—especially after high-profile evictions—now depends on its ability to count votes and calm the streets. If Sánchez can’t win support, the coalition could fall. Spain may be heading for new elections. The next few hours will tell. The government’s future is on the line.
