Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced a snap election on October 5 in response to widespread protests across Spain regarding housing affordability. The election, set for November 29, will cut short Sánchez’s term by six months, showcasing his readiness to take bold political risks.
The decision to call for the election came after the government faced difficulties in gaining parliamentary approval for two proposed measures aimed at tackling Spain’s housing crisis. However, just a day after the election announcement, the government made adjustments and approved the decrees, which include rent caps, a temporary ban on evictions, and limitations on companies purchasing homes.
Sofía Olivares, a 25-year-old student and spokesperson for the housing advocacy group Derecho al Techo (Right to Housing), highlighted the recent attention to social housing and affordability due to the protests and unrest sweeping the nation.
While current polls indicate a potential victory for right-wing parties, Sánchez is banking on leveraging the housing crisis to garner the necessary political support to secure a parliamentary majority. Since assuming office in 2018, Sánchez has relied on backing from other parties to govern as his socialist party has never held a parliamentary majority.
By focusing on housing affordability as a central campaign issue, Sánchez aims to rally progressive voters and divert attention from other political vulnerabilities, such as corruption probes within his inner circle and the ongoing situation in Ceuta.
The eruption of housing demonstrations followed the eviction of María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who became a symbol of the crisis before her passing on October 7. Protests reminiscent of the 2011 Indignados movement have taken place in Madrid, with residents in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria also voicing their concerns over housing issues.
Olivares criticized the regional government for prioritizing tourism over housing policies, leading to a lack of rent controls and exacerbating the crisis. Families in the Canary Islands have faced numerous evictions over the past year, underscoring the pressing need for sustainable housing solutions.
The shortage of public housing remains a critical issue, with Spain’s housing stock comprising only about 1.7% social housing units, significantly lower than other EU countries. The Bank of Spain estimates a current deficit of around 750,000 homes, a number expected to rise above one million by 2028.
Right-wing parties have argued that Sánchez’s migration policies are straining the housing market, with a likely conservative coalition poised to win the upcoming election. These parties warn that Sánchez’s proposed rent caps could have adverse effects by reducing housing availability rather than addressing the root cause of the crisis.
Calls for increased investment in public housing and streamlined development processes have emerged, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to alleviate the housing shortage. Amid personal accounts of housing struggles and fears of rising fascism, many Spaniards are looking to the upcoming election to address these pressing societal challenges.
