Junts pressures government over housing decrees as Podemos faces split vote

The Spanish government has called an extraordinary plenary for Friday to confirm two housing royal decrees, a test of the concessions offered to opposition parties. Junts, representing seven seats, expressed disappointment, claiming the drafts omit its main demands and criticizing the cabinet’s handling of the issue, thereby using its votes as bargaining chips. While the Basque nationalist PNV seems more receptive, a rapid-track agreement has not been reached.

Podemos finds itself in a dilemma, balancing its opposition to the decree contents against the political fallout of blocking the measures. The tenants’ union that organized protests after the Maricarmen eviction has asked parliamentary groups to support the bills, though it still labels them insufficient. Critics note the government gave only 48 hours to examine the texts, far shorter than the usual month, and that one decree was published in the BOE just a day before the vote, raising transparency concerns.