Spain's Congress rejects both housing decrees, a defeat for Sánchez's government
3 October 2026
Spain's Congress on Friday 2 October rejected two decree-laws that the government had presented to tackle the housing crisis.
The first decree was defeated by 178 votes to 172 and the second by 184 to 166.
The decrees introduced initiatives to protect tenants in the rental market and needed parliamentary approval to remain in place.
They were a response to nationwide protests after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her flat when she could not pay a sharp rent increase.
The defeat raises pressure on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who has no congressional majority, to call a snap election not due until next summer.
In plain words
Decree-law Royal decree-law — An emergency government measure that needs parliamentary approval to remain in place.
Snap election Early general election — An election called before the scheduled date.