Sánchez seeks compromise between Sumar and Junts to avert housing-driven social backlash
The Spanish government is racing to draft a housing decree that can satisfy both Sumar’s tenant-protection demands and Junts’ tax-break proposals, hoping to calm growing public anger over evictions.
Facing mounting unrest after the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen in Madrid, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez must reconcile sharply different housing proposals from coalition partners Sumar and Junts before a Tuesday deadline. Sumar insists on reinforced rent extensions, protection against evictions, limits on speculative rentals and the restoration of Maricarmen’s home. Junts, led by Carles Puigdemont, conditions its support on fiscal measures such as renter deductions, landlord bonuses and mortgage relief for small owners.
The standoff has prompted Sumar to threaten a boycott of the cabinet, while the PSOE worries the issue could erode its voter base and aid right-wing parties like Vox. Officials say negotiations are progressing positively, but the final decree is expected to be modest, aiming mainly to halt evictions of vulnerable tenants rather than solve the broader housing affordability crisis.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine whether Spain’s coalition can survive growing housing unrest and avoid a broader political backlash.
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