Decrees to Be Re-Approved Amid Dissolved Parliament

The Spanish government will re-approve two royal decree-laws on housing measures this Tuesday, 6 October 2026, despite Parliament having been dissolved following the announcement of early general elections for 29 November. Because the Congress of Deputies is now dissolved, the validation of these emergency decrees will fall to the Permanent Deputation of Congress, a reduced parliamentary body composed of 69 members that assumes certain legislative functions during electoral periods.

How the Permanent Deputation Could Approve the Measures

The Permanent Deputation includes representatives from all parliamentary groups in proportion to their strength, plus the President of Congress, Francina Armengol, who holds a decisive vote. According to analysis from elEconomista.es, the current composition gives the PSOE 24 seats, Sumar 6, and one seat each to ERC, EH Bildu, PNV, and the Mixed Group. With Armengol’s vote, this bloc could reach 35 in favour. Opposing them would be the PP with 27 seats, Vox with 6, and Junts with one, totalling 34 votes. Since approval requires only a simple majority of votes cast, 35 in favour would be sufficient for validation. This arithmetic marks a shift from last week’s plenary vote, where Junts helped block both decrees. Now, its single representative holds no veto power.

  • The first decree focuses on halting evictions and expanding social housing protections.
  • The second includes automatic renewal of certain rental contracts and restrictions on vulture funds.

While the PSOE, Sumar, and allied groups are expected to back both, the PNV previously opposed the second decree in the full chamber. If it repeats that stance, the second measure could fail by 34 votes against to 35 in favour.

Legal experts have raised questions about the validity of using the Permanent Deputation for such a politically significant vote, though the mechanism is constitutionally permitted. The move has been described as a strategic 'trick' to bypass parliamentary deadlock ahead of elections. Yolanda Díaz, leader of Sumar, affirmed support, stating:

“We are going to win again. This time with more strength. To cap rents, to continue raising the minimum wage. Let's go for it, with joy and hope.”

It remains unclear whether the government will present identical texts to those rejected last Friday or introduce modifications. The Council of Ministers’ meeting on Tuesday will determine the final wording. Residents and tenants’ associations are watching closely, as the decrees could directly affect eviction moratoriums and rental security across Spain.

Reported by lasexta.com, democrata.es, 2 minutes, eleconomista.es, elconfidencial.com, elperiodicodearagon.com, Diariocrítico, radio onda cero, ground.news, lavanguardia.com, thebrief.news, La Sexta Barcelona.