Spain housing decree stalls without Congress votes

Spain’s new housing decree is ready, but it still lacks the Congress votes needed to clear its next hurdle. Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez said on Wednesday in Lekunberri, Navarre, that she wants the Council of Ministers to approve it as soon as possible. She was visiting a 34-home complex that state housing body Casa 47 will offer as affordable rentals.

Rodríguez said the government has a draft containing measures that different political groups could support. But it does not yet have firm backing from every group needed for Congress to validate the decree.

Talks resume as Parliament returns

The Housing Ministry sent the draft to political groups before the end of July and held talks with some of them over the summer. Rodríguez said the new Congress sitting period offered a chance to push those discussions further.

Some parties are still holding to their fullest demands, she said, while others have shown a willingness to compromise. Rodríguez said that leaves the government closer to an agreement than in previous attempts.

Tourism lets and foreign buyers remain disputed

The minister pointed to government action against illegal holiday lets, saying regional governments have sometimes challenged those rules in court rather than supporting them.

She also said the government has struggled to win backing for limits on private foreign capital buying homes. With the government in a parliamentary minority, Rodríguez said the housing decree will only secure validation if political groups give up part of their demands.

Topics: Housing · Tourism · Politics · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com