Spain’s leftist minority government has passed two housing decrees as thousands of protesters camped in Madrid and other cities, demanding stronger tenant protections amid soaring rents, gentrification and a shortage of affordable homes. The measures include suspending evictions of vulnerable tenants without alternative accommodation until 2030, requiring genuine reasons for temporary rental contracts, limiting room-rental charges and capping certain rent increases through the end of 2027. They also restrict discounted property purchases by companies whose business includes acquiring real estate, barring purchases below 70% of appraised market value through the end of 2028, subject to exemptions including social and affordable housing. A separate measure would generally extend leases when landlords decline renewal after the mandatory period and require compensation of at least 12 months’ rent, with exceptions. Parliament’s fragmented lower house is due to vote Friday, while the government’s coalition holds 152 of 350 seats and the Popular Party has said it will oppose both measures. The protests were intensified by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home of more than seven decades. A deal with property firm Urbagestion allows her to return at unchanged rent, although she remains in hospital. In Burjassot near Valencia, a protest over the attempted eviction of university professor Daniel Gonzalez led court officials to postpone the action by at least 10 days. Activists have called the package inadequate, even as the Madrid Tenants’ Union described the government’s move as a historic victory for the movement.