The public outcry intensified after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was forcibly removed from her Madrid apartment of 70 years on a stretcher. Abascal was unable to cover a 230% rent increase imposed by the investment fund that acquired her home. Following the news, protesters rallied in over 50 cities, with some activists camping in Madrid's Puerta del Sol for a week.
The legislative defeat represents a significant blow to Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose minority government failed to secure the necessary support for two emergency housing decrees. With opponents including the Popular Party, Vox, and Junts voting against the proposals, the rejection has triggered loud demonstrations outside the Congress, where protesters chanted slogans such as "your profits, our misery."
According to the BBC, the first decree was rejected by 178 votes to 172, while the second failed with 184 votes against and 166 in favor. The proposed measures included a ban on evictions until 2030 and mandatory renewal of expired rental contracts. Lawmakers who opposed the move, such as the Popular Party’s Juan Bravo, argued that the solution to the housing crisis lies in building new homes rather than implementing strict regulations.
Following the parliamentary collapse, the government is reportedly evaluating its next steps, including the potential for calling a snap general election ahead of the scheduled 2027 date. Pressure continues to mount on the administration as opposition leaders demand immediate action following a string of political setbacks.