Sánchez vows to pass housing decree after Madrid eviction
Usagevpn.com – Sánchez vows to pass housing measures at Tuesday’s Council of Ministers meeting after the eviction of Maricarmen, an 87-year-old Madrid resident, sparked renewed anger over Spain’s housing crisis. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made the pledge at a Socialist Party rally in Getafe.
Maricarmen was removed from the Retiro flat where she had lived for around 70 years. She was taken from her home on a stretcher and remains in hospital. In a video recorded on Saturday, she appealed to Sánchez to introduce laws that would prevent others from experiencing the same situation.
“Maricarmen, I have a message for you,” Sánchez said during his speech.
The prime minister said his government was working against the clock on the proposed decree. He described housing as a question of humanity and called on parliamentary parties to make a final effort to support the measures in Congress.
Eviction intensifies pressure on the government
The case has become a focal point for tenant groups and housing campaigners demanding stronger protection from evictions and rising costs. The building that contained Maricarmen’s former home belongs to investment fund Urbagestión, which has faced criticism from neighbourhood activists.
Madrid City Council rejected an offer from the fund concerning the flat and has begun a mediation process. Within Spain’s governing coalition, however, there is disagreement over what should happen next.
Sumar, the junior coalition partner, wants the property expropriated so Maricarmen can return. Government minister Félix Bolaños rejected that option, arguing that it lacks a clear constitutional basis. Sumar minister Pablo Bustinduy said his party would continue supporting expropriation.
Protest camp grows in Puerta del Sol
Thousands of demonstrators marched in Madrid on Saturday to demand lower housing costs and tougher tenant safeguards. Some protesters then spent the night in Puerta del Sol, where roughly 100 tents had been erected by Sunday.
Organisers say the encampment emerged spontaneously. Participants have shared meals, held yoga sessions and made banners, while solidarity events have been announced in Burgos, León, Córdoba and Almería.
Sánchez vows to pass housing legislation, but protesters have indicated that cabinet approval alone may not end the demonstration. The Tenants’ Union has warned against a diluted package negotiated with Junts.
What could the decree include?
The government hopes to secure enough parliamentary support for the decree following weekend talks. Options under discussion with Junts include limits on evictions from homes owned by investment funds and measures aimed at preventing such funds from purchasing more residential properties.
The final text has not been confirmed, and the proposal would still need support in Congress after approval by the Council of Ministers. Podemos has urged the government not to weaken the measures, while the opposition People’s Party has accused it of using Maricarmen’s case for political purposes.
For campaigners, the eviction has underlined the impact of housing insecurity on long-term residents, particularly older people with decades of ties to their neighbourhoods.
FAQ: Spain’s housing decree and tenant protections
When is the housing decree expected to be approved? Sánchez said the government intends to bring it to the Council of Ministers on Tuesday.
Would approval by the cabinet make the decree permanent? No. The measures would also need sufficient backing in Congress to remain in force.
What protections are being discussed? Talks have included possible restrictions on evictions involving properties owned by investment funds and limits on further residential purchases by those funds.
Can Maricarmen return to her former flat? That remains unresolved. Madrid City Council has started mediation, while Sumar supports expropriation and the Socialist Party has questioned its constitutional basis.
