The Spanish government announced on Tuesday that it has approved new laws to address the housing crisis in the country. This decision came after the forced eviction of Mariadel Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old tenant, from her apartment in Madrid, which led to nationwide protests in her support.
New Laws and Details
The Spanish Minister of Health, Monica Garcia, announced that these laws include a ban on evicting tenants until 2030, stricter regulations for short-term rentals, and a two-year extension for existing rental contracts. She wrote in a post on the social media platform X: "It is time to intervene in the speculative housing market and establish a balance between citizens and investment funds."
The socialist government of Spain has been negotiating with its coalition partners, including the Sumar party, in recent days. However, this bill will face challenges before its final approval in Parliament, and reaching a final agreement does not seem to be an easy task.
Consequences and Reactions
The Spanish Minister of Housing, Isabel Rodriguez, is set to provide more details about these laws at a press conference on Tuesday. The eviction of Mariadel Carmen Abascal, who had lived in this apartment since 1956, sparked public outrage and calls for protests in Madrid. Images of her being removed from her apartment by riot police were widely circulated on social media, and thousands of people took to the streets.
Mariadel Carmen's lawyer announced that she has been able to return to her home and described this success as a result of social mobilization. He also expressed hope that this agreement would help change the housing pattern in Spain. According to her lawyer, "If this agreement is signed, it will undoubtedly lead to a more favorable outcome for everyone."
