Video: @jcollboni / IG
Mayor calls for last-minute change of heart
Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni has made a final public appeal to Junts to reverse its position and support two national housing decrees aimed at curbing evictions and protecting tenants. The measures, dubbed the 'Maricarmen decrees', stem from the high-profile eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid after 70 years in her home. Collboni issued the call via Instagram on Friday morning, stating: "Today Junts must choose whether to join the measures that facilitate access to decent housing or if they prefer to vote with PP and Vox." He added, "They still have time to decide if they want to be on the side of the people or not."
Junts poised to block government plans
The mayor’s intervention follows confirmation from Junts that it will oppose both decrees during today’s session in the Congress of Deputies. According to reports, the party leadership met Thursday to finalise their stance, citing insufficient protections for small landlords and family-owned property businesses in Catalonia. Junts argues the first decree’s Article 1 would restrict nearly all Catalan small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in real estate from purchasing homes below 70% of market value until the end of 2028. The party claims the government ignored earlier demands for stronger safeguards against speculative investors and meaningful relief for small owners.
Government holds firm despite opposition
Despite Junts’ rejection, the national government led by Pedro Sánchez has refused to withdraw the decrees. Officials say the measures are necessary to address Spain’s housing crisis, particularly rising evictions linked to investment funds. Left-wing parties including Sumar, Podemos, ERC and others have rallied in support, staging a joint appearance near the hospital where Maricarmen Abascal is being treated. The outcome of today’s vote hinges on Junts’ position, as the PSOE–Sumar coalition lacks sufficient backing from other parliamentary groups to pass the legislation without them. If the decrees fail, it would mark a significant setback for Sánchez’s housing agenda.
"The Government lies. We are not afraid to get burned defending families and small owners in Catalonia,"
, Junts party sources, speaking to russpain.com Residents and tenant unions remain watchful. The Sindicato de Inquilinas has called for protests outside Congress, urging supporters to "surround the building" in defence of the proposed protections.
Reported by beteve.cat, Roger Torres i Liñán, russpain.com, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, elconstitucional.es, madridiario.es, lavanguardia.com, ondacero.es, 20minutos.es, esdiario.com, elpais.com, pressdigital.es, elmundo.es, ARA, abc.es, jaenhoy.es, rtve.es, betevé.
