AGP Executive Report

Housing Flashpoint: Thousands marched in Madrid after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal died following her eviction, turning rent hikes and displacement into central issues ahead of Spain’s November 29 election. Unions have called a nationwide housing strike for November 11. Policy Fight: The government is reviving rent-cap measures after parliament rejected its housing plan. The opposition PP promises to build one million homes and says more than 300,000 homes have left the rental market—an estimate it attributes to government policies. Rental Supply: Spain has lost nearly 393,000 long-term rental homes since 2018, a 44% decline, according to one report. Tourist rentals are also set to face VAT from December 2026. Construction: Spanish construction output is forecast to grow 3% this year, outpacing Europe, though housing-permit momentum has eased.

Housing Protests: Around 20,000 people marched in Madrid after Maricarmen Abascal, 87, died two weeks after being evicted from her longtime home. Her case has become a flashpoint in Spain’s housing crisis and a central issue ahead of the November 29 election. Rent Rules: The government has reapproved housing decrees that were rejected in Parliament. They temporarily allow eligible tenants to extend leases by up to two years and cap rent increases at 2%; the measures still need approval from caretaker lawmakers. Strike: Unions have called a nationwide strike for November 11 over housing costs and wages. Protected Housing: Spain completed 11,270 protected homes in the first half of 2026, up 96% year on year. Catalonia accounted for 47% of the total, with Madrid contributing 26%.

Housing Protests: Maricarmen Abascal, 87, died in hospital two weeks after her eviction from her Madrid home. Her case has fuelled fresh protests and political recriminations over Spain’s housing crisis. Election and Policy: Housing is set to dominate the 29 November snap election. The government is reviving rejected housing measures, including protections for tenants and €50,000 interest-free loans for eligible first-time buyers; tourist rentals will face VAT from 1 December. Rental Market: Spain’s long-term rental supply has fallen 44% in seven years. A CIS survey found 70.6% support a two-year rent freeze and 75.6% favour limits on tourist apartments. New Homes: Madrid has approved plans that could deliver 18,400 protected homes by 2028.

Housing Crisis: María del Carmen “Maricarmen” Abascal, 87, has died in hospital after her eviction from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for 71 years. Her rent reportedly rose from €500 to €2,650 after a property fund acquired the building; her case galvanized protests across Spain. Political Fallout: The government is reviving housing decrees rejected by Congress, including measures affecting tenants and landlords, as it campaigns ahead of the November 29 snap election. Unions have called a nationwide housing strike for November 11, even though Parliament is dissolved. Rental Rules: New measures also put holiday lets in focus, with Spain ending a VAT exemption for thousands of rentals from December 1 and a proposed surcharge of up to 150% reported. A major property portal is also facing scrutiny over potentially misleading rental listings.

Housing Policy: Spain has reissued housing decrees after Parliament rejected them, with rent caps, a temporary eviction pause and limits on corporate home purchases. They take effect provisionally pending a vote by caretaker lawmakers, as the November 29 snap election campaign centres on affordability. Holiday Rentals: From December 1, qualifying stays of 30 nights or less face 10% VAT. Councils in designated stressed areas can also levy IBI surcharges of up to 150% on tourist lets, depending on an owner’s number of properties. Rental Market: Long-term rental listings in the Canary Islands fell 32.6% from 2018 to 2025, with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria down 55%. Portal Oversight: Spain’s consumer ministry has opened a case against a major property website over possible unfair practices in rental advertising; penalties could reach €100,000 or several times any illicit profit.

Housing Crisis & Snap Election: Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez called a snap general election for Nov. 29 after Parliament rejected emergency housing decrees, turning the housing fight into a central campaign issue. Urgent Housing Decrees Reworked: The government approved 21 new urgent housing measures again, including extending protections for vulnerable tenants, regulating room and seasonal rentals, adding a tax on seasonal rentals to fund first-home support, and restricting speculative purchases by large investors. First-Home Financing: A new €10bn “TU CASA” line via ICO will offer interest-free loans up to €50,000 for first-time buyers of a primary home, aimed at covering down-payment gaps. Barcelona Protests Turn Violent: A major rent protest in Barcelona escalated into clashes; police arrested 13 and reported injuries to officers. Legal/Political Fallout: With Congress dissolved, the decrees now face validation by the Permanent Deputation, while Catalan separatist leader Puigdemont’s arrest warrant was lifted, clearing his return ahead of the vote.

Housing Crisis & Protests: Spain’s government approved urgent housing measures after violent unrest in Barcelona, where clashes left dozens injured and arrests followed mass demonstrations tied to the eviction of an 87-year-old in Madrid. Snap Election Fallout: The housing defeat in parliament has pushed PM Pedro Sánchez to call a snap general election for Nov. 29, with opposition accusing the government of trying to bypass lawmakers via an interim “mini-parliament” vote. Tenant Protections Pushback: Madrid’s regional president Ayuso warned she’ll use “all legal instruments” if the decrees are validated, while unions are set to press for a general strike over housing costs. Catalonia Legal Twist: Spain’s Supreme Court lifted arrest warrants for Carles Puigdemont after the Constitutional Court backed applying the 2024 amnesty to embezzlement cases, clearing the way for his return ahead of the election. Local Housing Enforcement: In Bilbao’s Atxuri, a social-rental eviction carried out by Alokabide drew a protest outside the building, highlighting gaps in alternative housing for vulnerable tenants. Construction Outlook: A new eurozone construction survey points to continued weakness in building activity, underscoring the pressure on Spain’s housing supply.

Snap Election Triggered by Housing Vote: Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez dissolved parliament and called a snap general election for Nov. 29 after Congress rejected two emergency housing decrees aimed at curbing evictions and speculation. Protests Keep Escalating: The decision follows days of nationwide anger sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal in Madrid, with camps and demonstrations spreading to major cities including Barcelona, where protesters clashed with police. Campaign Focus: Rent, Evictions, and Inequality: Sánchez framed the vote as a bid to win a “broader progressive majority” to push reforms, while analysts warn it could also open the door to a PP–Vox coalition. Labor Pressure Builds: Spain’s unions UGT and CCOO agreed to prepare a 24-hour general strike this autumn over wages and housing costs, coordinating with tenants groups; no date is set yet. Market Mood: The political shock is adding to broader European financial jitters, with the euro pressured amid France’s fiscal worries and Spain’s election uncertainty.

Snap Election Triggered by Housing Defeat: Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez called a snap general election for 29 Nov after Congress rejected two emergency housing decrees meant to curb evictions and rental speculation, with the vote turning on opposition and the conservative Catalan party Junts. Protests Keep Pressure on: The decision follows days of mass demonstrations across Spain after the televised eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, with Madrid’s Puerta del Sol camp continuing and Valencia protests escalating into clashes. Legal and Local Tensions: In València, a judge provisionally freed five detained protesters tied to last Saturday’s housing-rights disturbances. In Madrid, courts blocked an immediate eviction of the Sol camp, while officials trade accusations over the right to assemble and public order. Canary Islands Buyer Rules: Activists in the Canaries renewed calls to restrict non-resident property purchases, arguing current proposals don’t go far enough. Market Backdrop: The political shock is also feeding investor jitters as the euro slid on broader European fiscal concerns.

Housing Protests Take Center Stage: Spain’s housing crisis exploded into mass street action after Congress rejected two emergency tenant measures following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, with around 70,000 in Madrid and demonstrations in 50+ cities; protesters backed a general strike, demanded rent cuts, longer protections, and action against “vulture funds,” while clashes in Valencia saw police use tear gas and rubber bullets. Political Fallout: Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is weighing an early general election after the parliamentary defeat, as left allies and opposition trade blame and Sumar-linked groups push to keep housing at the top of the agenda. Local Housing Models: In Sevilla province, Marinaleda is finishing 24 municipal homes rented for about €15–€20 a month, keeping properties in public ownership and allocating them when residents leave. Policy/Market Pressure: Balearics landlords say Spain’s housing decrees are scaring off rental supply amid legal uncertainty, while Spain’s wider debate continues over how to balance tenant protections with rental availability. Heritage Fight: A new bid seeks to protect a historic Fuerteventura house from demolition by pushing for it to be declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC).

Housing Protests Escalate Nationwide: Tens of thousands marched across Spain after Congress rejected two emergency housing decrees, with Madrid drawing about 70,000 (organizers claim far more) and rallies in roughly 50 cities. The protests were sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal and focused on rent relief, stronger tenant protections, and limits on “vulture funds” and investment-fund buying. Clashes and Police Response: In Valencia, police used tear gas and rubber bullets and removed protesters who entered the City of Arts and Sciences; in Madrid, far-right activists were blocked from reaching the Puerta del Sol camp, leading to arrests. Political Fallout: The vote defeat has intensified speculation about a possible snap election, while Podemos’ Ione Belarra urged a new, more ambitious monthly housing decree if lawmakers keep rejecting it. Public Mood: A Sigma Dos survey found 73.5% doubt the “Maricarmen decrees” will solve the crisis, even though many support individual measures. Housing Market Context: New reporting links Abascal’s name to a BOE-listed 2000 mortgage case tied to a Madrid-area property, adding fuel to the public narrative around the eviction.

Housing Crisis Protests: Tens of thousands marched across Spain on Saturday, with Madrid at the center, after parliament rejected two emergency tenant measures. Protesters demanded lower rents, stronger protections, and an end to evictions, pointing to the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal as the spark for a week of encampments and street pressure. Parliamentary Setback: The decrees were voted down in Congress, including protections for vulnerable tenants, longer lease rules, and limits on investment-fund purchases, leaving Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s minority government under fresh strain. Escalation and Clashes: In Valencia, rallies turned violent as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas; five people were arrested and nine officers injured. General Strike Talk: Organizers and tenant groups pushed for a general strike, while business leaders warned a strike wouldn’t fit legal norms. Security Incident: In Madrid, police arrested three far-right activists and fired rubber bullets after attempts to reach the Puerta del Sol housing camp. Local Mobilization: Canary Islands protests continued this weekend, including Lanzarote gatherings calling for public action on access to decent housing.

Housing Crisis Protests: Tens of thousands of people flooded Madrid and dozens of other Spanish cities on Saturday after parliament rejected two emergency housing decrees aimed at protecting renters and curbing evictions, with police clashing with protesters in Valencia and organizers calling for a general strike. Political Fallout: The defeat deepens pressure on PM Pedro Sánchez, with media reporting snap-election speculation for November as the government’s minority support frays. Key Trigger: The protests were sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home, which became a national symbol of the affordability squeeze. Tenant Union Push: The Tenants’ Union says the “housing legislature” is only just beginning and is coordinating rallies in 50+ cities, while some Barcelona events were postponed due to rain. Policy Debate: The rejected measures included eviction curbs for vulnerable tenants, rental protections, and limits on “vulture funds,” but Junts voted against them, arguing they would harm legal certainty and housing supply. Broader Mobilization: Ada Colau urged a broad progressive alliance to defend the right to housing and confront speculation.

Housing Crisis Shock: Spain’s Congress rejected both of Pedro Sánchez’s emergency housing decrees, after a five-hour debate and mass protests outside Parliament sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal. Parliamentary Math: The first decree (eviction protections for vulnerable tenants, limits on speculative purchases, and rental incentives) lost 178-172; the second (automatic rental contract renewals) fell 184-166, with Junts joining the “no” camp alongside PP and Vox. Protest Escalation: Protesters returned to Puerta del Sol and housing groups vowed new rallies, while the Tenants’ Union said the camp would shift to broader mobilization and push toward a general strike. Political Fallout: With the government’s minority position exposed, Spanish media reports point to possible snap elections, as Sánchez enters a weekend “reflection” period. Local Governance Angle: Barcelona’s mayor said the decrees were a chance to “change the rules,” while regional leaders debated decentralization and financing amid the wider housing fight.

Housing Policy Clash: Spain’s parliament rejected both emergency housing decree-laws meant to curb evictions and cool rents after the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen sparked mass protests, dealing Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez a major blow as Junts, the PP and Vox all voted against. Eviction Protections & Rent Rules: The decrees would have protected vulnerable tenants from evictions until 2030 and extended rental contract renewals, including tighter limits on short-term rentals and measures aimed at “vulture funds.” Political Fallout: With the decrees sunk, speculation is rising that Sánchez could call a snap election, while protesters keep pressure on lawmakers. Protest Momentum: Demonstrations and tent camps in Madrid and other cities are set to continue this weekend, with tenants’ groups pushing toward a wider housing general strike. Market Snapshot: Spain’s July data showed a slowdown in the housing market, with home sales down 5.1% and mortgages down 3.5% year-on-year, adding to the urgency around affordability. Construction/Development Watch: Separately, PowerCo and Gotion plan new battery ventures tied to Volkswagen’s Valencia gigafactory, a reminder that Spain’s real estate and industrial pipeline is still moving.

Housing Crisis Vote: Spain’s parliament is set to vote this Friday on two government housing decrees after Junts raised last-minute objections and asked for a rewrite, arguing the measures will cut rental supply; the government says the texts curb speculation, stop “vulture funds,” and protect tenants without harming small owners. Political Clash: Sumar and the government accuse Junts of siding with speculators, while Housing rejects claims that the decrees damage supply or family inheritances, saying they include incentives for unused homes and limits on rent hikes. Street Pressure: Tenant groups and supporters keep up “pot banging” protests across Spain, with Madrid’s Sol camp pushing neighborhood committees and planning a march to the Congress doors to coincide with the vote. Key Rules in Focus: One decree targets eviction protections for vulnerable tenants and extends rental protections; the other addresses automatic renewal and tighter rules for seasonal and room rentals. Local Governance: Santander’s mayor says campers in Plaza Porticada will face enforcement of existing rules, not special treatment. Market Context: A Savills outlook flags Spain as a magnet for real estate capital while Western Europe lags.