Spain housing decree pushed to Congress despite doubts

Spain’s housing decree should go before Congress without further delay, Social Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy says. Speaking in Madrid on Wednesday, 16 September, he called for a vote even though the government has no guaranteed majority. He said parties that bring it down should face the political and social cost.

The measure was initially expected before August’s summer recess. Bustinduy said he had pressed publicly and privately for it to be presented by the end of July, but support remains uncertain after Junts and Podemos raised reservations.

Rows over rents and holiday lets

Bustinduy said the decree could still be adjusted if parliamentary groups made specific demands needed for its approval. But he accused its opponents of resisting action in the housing market.

They did not want to ease pressure on tenants or tackle fraud involving seasonal lets, room rentals and tourist flats, he said. He argued that Spain’s housing crisis was linked to profits made by major property owners and investors, rather than being an unavoidable problem.

PSOE abstention draws criticism

The minister also attacked the PSOE’s abstention in Tuesday’s Congress vote on a separate Sumar proposal. The bill would have barred companies and investment funds from buying homes, limiting purchases to individuals.

PP and Vox voted against allowing the proposal to proceed, while the PSOE abstained. Bustinduy called that position incomprehensible and said he would continue bringing tenant-protection laws before Congress.

Topics: Housing · Tourism · Politics · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com