Spain’s government faces renewed political headwinds as Junts, a key Catalan party, has rejected the extension of anti-eviction measures, threatening to derail a broader “social shield” decree. The move, confirmed on , underscores the fragility of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s governing coalition and highlights the complex negotiations required to pass legislation in a fragmented parliament.
According to statements reported by elEconomista.es, Junts spokesperson Miriam Nogueras stated the party will vote against the decree. While the government had attempted to separate a pension increase from the contentious eviction measures, Junts remains opposed to extending the moratorium on evictions for vulnerable individuals. This rejection follows a previous parliamentary defeat for the government earlier in , when both the pension increase and anti-eviction measures were blocked by the PP, Junts, and Vox.
The core of the disagreement centers on the extension of the moratorium on evictions. Junts argues that the current provisions are inadequate and fails to address concerns regarding property rights. The government, however, had made concessions, notably excluding owners of one or two properties from being required to provide alternative housing for vulnerable tenants, with those responsibilities falling to social services. This adjustment, reached in agreement with the PNV, was insufficient to secure Junts’ support.
This concession to the PNV, while securing their backing, has drawn criticism from Podemos, whose secretary general, Ione Belarra, expressed strong disapproval of the agreement, according to elEconomista.es. Belarra argued that exempting small landlords unfairly benefits a wealthy segment of society.
Despite the setback with the eviction moratorium, the government was able to secure passage of a decree establishing a single transport pass and maintaining public transport subsidies amidst an ongoing railway crisis. Junts voted in favor of this measure, while the Popular Party abstained. This suggests a willingness from Junts to cooperate on certain legislative priorities, but also demonstrates their leverage in negotiations.
Beyond the eviction moratorium, the broader “social shield” decree includes a range of extensions and updates. These include guarantees for energy, gas, and water supply for vulnerable consumers, exemptions on income tax for those affected by last summer’s forest fires, and continued aid for municipalities impacted by severe weather events. It also extends deductions for the purchase of electric vehicles and home rehabilitation projects aimed at improving energy efficiency. The decree updates financial transfers to regional and local governments, providing supplementary credit totaling €6.8 billion.
The government’s strategy appears to be one of dividing issues to gain support, separating the pension increase – which Junts now supports – from the more controversial eviction measures. However, this approach has proven insufficient to overcome the opposition from Junts, highlighting the challenges of building consensus in a politically polarized environment. The government now faces another potential parliamentary defeat when the revised decree is brought before Congress, with the outcome dependent on securing the support of other parties.
The situation underscores the precariousness of Sánchez’s government, which relies on a complex web of alliances to pass legislation. The rejection of the anti-eviction measures by Junts, despite concessions made by the government, demonstrates the difficulty of navigating these alliances and the potential for future legislative roadblocks. The government’s ability to maintain its agenda will depend on its capacity to find common ground with a diverse range of political actors, each with their own priorities and demands.
The political maneuvering surrounding the “social shield” decree also reflects broader tensions within Spanish society regarding housing policy and social welfare. The debate over eviction moratoriums highlights the competing interests of landlords, tenants, and the government, and the challenges of balancing property rights with the need to protect vulnerable populations. The outcome of this debate will have significant implications for housing affordability and social equity in Spain.
