Spain's Parliament Rejects Housing Decrees; 500,000 Protest Across 50 Cities

Spain's parliamentary rejection of emergency housing decrees — designed to freeze evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, ban investment funds from purchasing residential properties, and auto-renew rental contracts — removes a proposed policy response to documented housing scarcity (700,000-home deficit) and rising costs (12.2% price increases, 8.5–9.7% rental increases). The vote's failure, triggered by Junts' withdrawal of support and opposition-party votes, destabilizes Sánchez's minority coalition government and may accelerate early election scheduling (originally set for summer 2027). Nationwide protests and reported police use of rubber bullets and tear gas in Valencia indicate sustained social friction over housing affordability with potential for continued disruption.