New elections in Spain: The housing crisis will decide the next elections

Pedro Sánchez is bringing forward the parliamentary elections by more than six months. This is a smart move: The political survivalist sees the momentum on his side when it comes to the issue of the rent crisis. There is great anger in the country, but its left-wing minority government did not get the decrees for more tenant protection through parliament. The socialist is also likely to cite the social achievements that would destroy an alliance between the right and the extreme right.

And Sánchez has a lot to show for it: a labor market reform that ensures that more and more people have permanent employment contracts, the significant increase in the minimum wage, pension increases and longer parental leave entitlement are thanks to his government. And yet large parts of the population have the impression that a lot is missing - especially in the housing market. Because the question of affordable housing is the social question par excellence - also in Spain.

So it is no coincidence that this of all events led to mass demonstrations, protest camps and ultimately the premature end of his government. Eight years and nothing done is the impression many people have. But this is not fair.

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In fact, measures have been adopted at national level which, even if only as a drop in the ocean, work wherever they are applied. Evictions were temporarily suspended and rental contracts – which are all limited in Spain – were automatically extended.

And a law passed by the left-wing coalition in 2023 makes it possible to declare districts and communities in which residents spend an average of more than 30 percent of their family income on rent as areas with “stressed housing conditions” in order to cap rent.

But housing matters are the responsibility of the regions. Where the right-wing People's Party (PP) governs with or without the right-wing extremist Vox, it does not apply the law. The market is sacred to them and their own benefit is even more so. Many politicians from their ranks are associated with real estate funds.

So far, Sánchez has not succeeded in bringing this right-wing boycott stance into public awareness. If Sánchez and his left-wing alternative coalition partners manage to make this issue the number one election issue and if they present a serious program to combat the housing crisis, it could be possible to turn the mood around. According to the motto: We have no chance, let's use it.