Junts is expected to reject both housing decrees when Congress votes on them this Friday, dealing another blow to Pedro Sánchez's parliamentary majority. The Cabinet approved the measures on 29 September and sent them to Congress for an urgent vote, Moncloa says. One decree has also appeared in the BOE, information from reports citing the official gazette.
A rejection would put the Government's plan to extend some rental contracts for up to three years at risk and leave Sánchez facing another parliamentary defeat. Housing has become a test of whether his coalition can pass major social measures.
Junts' official statement stopped short of confirming its final vote and called on the Spanish Government to withdraw both decrees. That withdrawal is not expected. Sources within Junts say the party will reject both measures if they remain on the agenda.
Both texts are royal decree-laws, which Congress must ratify. Without ratification, their legal effect could end. Junts has seven deputies, making its position decisive in the current parliamentary configuration. Reuters has described the Catalan party as a kingmaker in the vote.
Carles Puigdemont prevailed in a divided internal debate. Secretary general Jordi Turull and some mayors had backed a position similar to the PNV's: support the first decree and reject the second.
Puigdemont secured the backing of Míriam Nogueras, Albert Batet and Joan Canadell, information from sources from the executive. The disagreement grew after the Government submitted two housing measures instead of one. Spanish press reports say the PNV is prepared to support one decree and reject the other. That position would be enough to defeat the Government's package even without Junts, since Congress must ratify both royal decree-laws.
Several influential figures outside the executive also backed the decision, including lawyer Gonzalo Boye. Their objections focus on the measures' legal design and their effect on property owners in Catalonia. Junts says the package could weaken small landlords' incentive to keep homes on the rental market.
A legal report commissioned by Junts says the decrees encroach on the powers of the autonomous communities, including the Generalitat, and sideline Junts' housing proposals. The party argues that the Catalan administration could have to cover costs when tenants stop paying rent.
Junts says the measures fail to protect small landlords and warns they could reduce the supply of rental homes. Reuters has reported that the party considers the package harmful to housing supply and wants the Government to prepare a new text.
Junts says homes taken off the rental market would instead be put up for sale. In its assessment, many would remain out of reach for middle-class and working families, while buyers with greater financial resources would have more opportunities. The party argues that a policy intended to improve access to housing could make homes harder to find and afford.
The Government had hoped public anger after the eviction of Maricarmen would push Junts and the PNV to support at least the first decree. That calculation has failed. A defeat would undermine Sánchez's attempt to rebuild his parliamentary majority and test whether the legislature remains politically viable.
Moncloa has chosen confrontation over withdrawal. Sources in the Executive say PP, Vox and Junts must show whether they stand with citizens or speculators. Ministers from PSOE and Sumar have accused their opponents of voting against people who need housing solutions.
The strategy puts responsibility for the likely defeat on the parties withholding their votes. No final agreement had been reached with Junts or the PNV. Moncloa says the measures would strengthen tenant protection and tighten housing rules.
The Government's message has already shaped its next campaign line. Yolanda Díaz, Mónica García and Pablo Bustinduy have framed the vote as a choice between protecting people and defending speculation.
Junts fears an early election could hurt its position ahead of the municipal elections.
At Moncloa, Pedro Sánchez was asked whether he would call elections if both decrees fell and the lack of a majority became undeniable. He avoided that scenario and said he remained reasonably optimistic about approval.
Junts' position has made that forecast harder to sustain. Reports published on 1 October said the party was leaning toward rejecting both decrees and asking the Government to withdraw them.
ERC deputy Etna Estrems called the decision miserable and questioned how Puigdemont could later return to Girona. In Junts' grassroots messaging groups, members welcomed the decision.
Members feared opposition from Aliança and concern among small landlords could cost the party support. They also approved of making the Spanish Government's position harder.
Sánchez's Government has not presented national budgets during the legislature because it lacks the votes to pass them. It may now be unable to approve the social policy it describes as an urgent response to Spain's basic public concern.
Junts has turned that weakness into a direct test of power. The Government can still campaign against the parties voting no, but responsibility for the failed negotiation remains its own.
The first measure would let some tenants with existing contracts request an additional extension of up to two years. It would also preserve limits on rent increases. The second would create an automatic extension system for residential leases unless the parties give notice in advance.
