Spain Housing Crisis Dominates Snap Election

Spain's snap election centers on housing after the attempted eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal in central Madrid last month sparked nationwide protests. Parliament rejected Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's two housing decree laws last Friday, including rent caps and limits on corporate property purchases. Sánchez announced the snap election Monday, saying Spain needs a larger progressive majority to overcome vested interests. The central bank estimates a 750,000-home deficit, set to hit 1 million by 2028. September polls put the People's Party near 33% and PSOE near 26%. Alberto Núñez Feijóo said, "If Spaniards give me their trust, my priority, my success, will be housing policy," and pledges 250,000 new homes a year creating 600,000 jobs. Marta, among tens of thousands of protesters, said leaving the issue to the right would make it much worse. Jorge Galindo said the decrees trade protecting current renters against supply for those without homes. Cristina Monge said 73% homeownership makes policy complex as owners see children struggle to rent. Abascal's rent was reportedly raised from 500 to 2,650 euros on a 1,350-euro pension; Urbagestión later offered a new contract. Social housing is 1.7% by European Commission figures and 1.5% to 3.3% in other estimates.