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Spain’s government to approve urgent
housing measures after a night of unrest in Barcelona
[October 06, 2026]
MADRID (AP) — Spain’s government is expected to approve urgent
measures on the country's housing crisis on Tuesday, after an outbreak
of violence the night before in the coastal city of Barcelona saw tens
of thousands taking to the streets.
The Barcelona turmoil late Monday followed protests across the country
over the weekend that demanded measures to resolve a crisis sparked by
the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid, the country's capital. |
Tens of thousands march protesting the housing situation in Spain, just
hours after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced an early general
election, in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio
Morenatti) |
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In
Barcelona, Spain’s second-largest city, a severe weather alert
over the weekend had forced organizers to reschedule the protest
for Monday. What began as a massive peaceful march turned
violent when groups of hundreds of hardcore activists clashed
with police, throwing stones and setting fire to trash
containers.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez 's government is expected to
approve measures similar to those rejected by Parliament last
Friday, which prompted his call for early elections on Nov. 29,
media reports said.
If approved, the government would send the measures for
ratification by an interim legislature which remains active
until the elections. Sánchez is to hold a news conference about
the developments later Tuesday.
The new measures are to extend protection against evictions for
vulnerable Spaniards until 2030, regulate room rentals, impose a
new tax on seasonal rentals, ban speculative real estate
purchases and give tax breaks to landlords, Housing Minister
Isabel Rodríguez told reporters last week.
Rising costs and a housing shortage are pricing many Spaniards
out of the housing market, despite strong economic growth in
Europe’s fourth-largest economy. The protesters have been
demanding stronger protections for tenants, measures to combat
fraud and a ban on evictions when alternative housing is
unavailable.
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