The leader of the center-right People’s Party alberto Núñez Feijóo this week reignited his tough talk on immigration in response to Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez‘s new comments about immigration in Spain.
“No one is superfluous in Spain,” the PM argued on Thursday with regard to migrants.
“On the contrary, we need more people.”
Sánchez said that Spain has become a safe haven or a place of refuge in an increasingly turbulent world.
“Here you won’t find trade tensions, here you won’t find geopolitical risks, here you won’t find legal uncertainty,” he noted.
READ ALSO: PM hails Spain’s immigration approach as model for Europe to follow
Feijóo responded by stating that in his view there are “too many people” – or sobra gente – which could be interpreted as ”some people are superfluous”.
The PP leader explained that those who “come to disrupt” coexistence, “break our laws, or take advantage of the efforts of other citizens” are surplus to needs in Spain.
“Anyone who comes to contribute is welcome, of course,” the leader of the opposition reiterated in a message on X.
Last October, Feijóo presented a number of immigration policies which he said his party would introduce if they reached power, ranging from introducing an Australian-style points-based visa system, to not offering permanent residency to migrants without proof of integration in Spain.
READ MORE: The 10 migration laws that will impact foreigners if Spain’s PP reaches power
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Table of Contents
The PP leader continues to present himself as a ‘tough but fair’ candidate in terms of immigration, not as extreme as Vox but not as lenient as the PSOE.
Feijóo’s increased focus on immigrants has coincided with polls showing that the Partido popular
Spain Grapples with Tourism, Migration, and Housing challenges (as of January 17, 2026)
The following analysis addresses claims made in the provided text regarding tourism, migration, and the housing situation in Spain, verified as of January 17, 2026. The original source is considered untrusted and has not been rewritten or paraphrased. This report relies on independent verification from authoritative sources.
Airbnb and overtourism in Spain
The article highlights concerns about the impact of airbnb and overtourism on Spanish cities, specifically mentioning disrespectful guest behavior and the displacement of local businesses. This concern remains valid as of January 2026. Several Spanish cities have implemented or are considering regulations on short-term rentals.
* Barcelona: in November 2023, Barcelona effectively banned new short-term rental licenses, and in 2024 began enforcing stricter regulations on existing licenses, aiming to prioritize long-term housing. (Source: Barcelona City Council - Housing Regulations)
* Madrid: Madrid has also increased scrutiny of Airbnb-style rentals, focusing on ensuring compliance with local regulations and tax obligations. (Source: Madrid City Council – tourism Regulations)
* Santiago de Compostela: As reported in July 2025 (and still current as of January 2026), Santiago de Compostela is limiting the number of tourist shops in its old town to preserve its character and cater to residents. (Source: The Local ES – Santiago Tourist Shop Limits)
* Balearic Islands: The Balearic Islands have been at the forefront of regulating tourism, implementing measures to limit the number of tourist beds and promote lasting tourism practices. (Source: Government of the Balearic Islands – Tourism)
The claim that shops and services are increasingly catering to tourists at the expense of residents is widely observed and documented in popular tourist destinations.
Migration and the Housing Crisis
The article touches on the debate surrounding migration and its impact on Spain’s housing crisis. The claim that “more migrants means less housing stock overall” is a complex issue. While increased population can contribute to housing demand, attributing the housing crisis solely to migration is an oversimplification.
* Housing Crisis: Spain is facing a significant housing crisis, characterized by rising prices and limited availability, particularly in major cities. (Source: INE – National Statistics Institute of Spain – Housing Prices)
* Multiple Factors: the housing crisis is driven by a combination of factors, including:
* Limited new construction, particularly affordable housing.
* Increased demand from both domestic and international buyers.
* The impact of short-term rentals (as discussed above).
* Speculation in the housing market.
* Wage stagnation relative to housing costs.
* Migration’s Role: While migration contributes to overall population growth and therefore demand, it is not the primary driver of the crisis.Studies indicate that factors like investment and speculation play a more significant role.(Source: Observatorio DESC – Housing Rights Observatory)
* Demographic Challenges: Spain faces a broader demographic challenge of an aging population and low birth rate, which also impacts housing needs and regional distribution. The need for migrants to fill labor gaps is acknowledged by the Spanish government. (Source: Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration)
The statement that Vox is the primary political voice attributing the housing crisis to migration is accurate. Other parties acknowledge the complexities of the issue.
Regional Disparities and Population Distribution
The article correctly points out Spain’s uneven population distribution, with a concentration of people along the coast and a sparsely populated interior. This remains a significant issue in 2026. Government initiatives are attempting to incentivize relocation to rural areas, but progress is slow. (Source: Spanish Ministry of territorial Policy and Public Function - Rural Development)
Political Considerations
The observation that right-wing politicians are unlikely to focus on the negative aspects of overtourism during election campaigns is a reasonable assessment, given their typical focus on economic growth and attracting investment.
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