Final Hours of Negotiation
The Spanish government is in the final hours of negotiations over a proposed housing decree-law, with no agreement yet reached between key political allies. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's administration aims to approve the measure at Tuesday's Council of Ministers meeting, but remains divided on core elements. According to government sources cited by ElConfidencial, talks have continued throughout the weekend but have not bridged the gap between left-wing demands and regionalist concerns.
Clashing Priorities
Sumar and Podemos are demanding strong tenant protections, including an end to evictions, a freeze on rental prices, and indefinite contract renewals. Health Minister Mónica García stated her party will not support the decree unless all measures are included in full. Podemos also calls for expropriating properties from investment firms, known as 'vulture funds', and prohibiting the sale of homes not intended for residence. Meanwhile, Junts and the PNV oppose measures they say would harm small landlords. They reject proposals to validate squatting or equate private owners with large investment companies. Junts has specifically criticised the government for moving away from earlier consensus, accusing it of turning the decree into an 'Omnibus' law with 34 changes to the Urban Leases Act, bypassing normal parliamentary process.
The government has the tools and the BOE, it cannot be a patch,
, ERC deputy Etna Estrems
Areas of Possible Agreement
Despite the impasse, some progress has been reported. There is broad support for a two-year extension of rental contracts ending before 31 December 2028, a measure backed by PSOE, Sumar, Junts, and PNV. A freeze on rent increases for contracts ending before 2029 is also under discussion. The right of first refusal, allowing tenants to buy their homes before investors, is likely to be included. However, expropriation of vacant properties and comprehensive land law reform, both key to Podemos, have been removed from the draft.
Regional Authority Concerns
Junts argues that regulating room rentals falls under Catalan civil law and is a competence of the Generalitat, not the central government. This has further strained talks, as the proposed royal decree seeks to impose nationwide rules.
Street Pressure Mounts
The Sindicato de Inquilinas, leading protests including an encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, continues to demand permanent solutions: indefinite leases, eviction moratoriums, and rent freezes. Their activism has intensified pressure on the government to act decisively.
Stakes for the Government
Socialist sources warn that passing a decree without sufficient parliamentary support would offer only temporary relief, lasting just 30 days, before lapsing, creating legal uncertainty. They argue this would undermine public trust and risk political instability if repeated monthly. At the same time, the PSOE is urging Junts to compromise, noting that its demands, such as tax breaks and faster eviction of squatters, are incompatible with left-wing red lines. With the Council of Ministers meeting set for Tuesday, the government faces a narrow path to consensus.
Reported by lasexta.com, Ana Sánchez;Carlos Rocha, La Sexta Barcelona.
