Housing scandals derail Spanish government's campaign, prompting shift to pension fear-mongering

A series of housing-related controversies, including 30 properties associated with Montse Mínguez and eviction actions against socialist deputy Joaquín Martínez, have turned the housing debate against the Spanish government. Pedro Sánchez’s effort to rally support with a protest camp at Sol did not translate into electoral momentum. As the scandal eroded the PSOE’s credibility on housing, the party shifted its rhetoric to warn that PP and Vox aim to dismantle the pension system, targeting a voter bloc of about ten million.

The opposition, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has pledged a dedicated housing block in debates and pledged to build one million homes and cut taxes. Vox members José María Figaredo, Ester Muñoz and Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo have called for pension reform, while their leaders deny any intention to privatise or abolish pensions. Ministers such as Carlos Cuerpo acknowledge the need for pension changes, and right-wing leaders Santiago Abascal and Patxi López continue to accuse the left of wanting to end pensions.