Spanish parliament rejects housing crisis measures amid mass protests

On October 2, 2026, the Spanish parliament rejected two legislative decrees proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez intended to address a deepening housing crisis. The measures, which included automatic lease renewals and protections for vulnerable tenants, were defeated by 178 votes against to 172 in favor. The legislative push was sparked by public outrage following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was forced from her home of 70 years due to exorbitant rent hikes imposed by an investment firm.

The rejection of these measures by a coalition of the Popular Party, Vox, and Junts has created a significant political crisis. Following the vote, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Madrid and over 50 other cities on Saturday to demand reform and call for a general strike. In Madrid alone, an estimated 70,000 people participated in the protests. In Valencia, clashes occurred as police deployed rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had entered a local building.

Following the parliamentary failure, speculation has mounted regarding a potential snap election in November. Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo has publicly called on Sanchez to call for elections, asserting that the government has lost both public and legislative support. The Prime Minister's office has remained silent on the possibility of an early election as pressure from housing activists continues to grow.