Tan-Tan – Spain’s government reapproved a package of housing measures on Tuesday after Parliament rejected the previous version last week, as protests over rising rents and a lack of affordable homes continued across the country.
The measures will now go before Congress’s Permanent Deputation for validation, as Parliament has been dissolved ahead of the November 29 general election, according to Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE.
The government also announced a €10 billion financing line for first-time homebuyers, EFE reported. The scheme will provide loans of up to €50,000 to people seeking to purchase their first home, adding a new element to the government’s housing package.
The government’s move came a day after thousands of people took part in a housing protest in Barcelona. The demonstration was part of a wider wave of protests calling for lower rents, more affordable homes, and stronger protections for tenants.
The Barcelona protest was mostly peaceful but ended with clashes between some protesters and police. Authorities reported arrests and injuries among police officers after barricades were built and fires were set in parts of the city.
Housing groups have accused the government of failing to address the growing cost of renting and buying homes. The issue has become increasingly important in major cities, where rents have risen sharply while many workers struggle to find affordable housing.
The renewed government package includes measures aimed at protecting vulnerable tenants, regulating room and seasonal rentals and discouraging speculative property purchases. It also includes tax measures intended to encourage landlords to offer homes at more affordable rents.
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Meanwhile, Spain’s two largest trade unions, CCOO and UGT, have backed a 24-hour general strike over the housing crisis. The unions have not yet set a final date, but the action is expected to take place before the November 29 election.
The unions said the strike would demand measures to make housing more affordable and ensure that workers’ wages are enough to cover housing costs.
The announcement followed calls by housing organizations for a nationwide strike after demonstrations were held in more than 50 Spanish cities over the weekend.
The housing crisis has also added pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority government. Sánchez called a snap election for November 29 after his government failed to secure parliamentary support for its housing measures last week.
The government now faces the challenge of securing support for the revised measures while the housing crisis remains a major issue ahead of the election.
