Spain’s lower house rejected two government decrees intended to ease the country’s housing crisis, prompting tens of thousands to protest in Madrid and other cities. The measures included suspending evictions of vulnerable tenants until 2030, extending certain leases, raising taxes on tourist apartments, restricting residential purchases by investment funds and automatically renewing rental contracts. The first decree was defeated 178-172 and the second 184-166 after the People’s Party, Vox and Together for Catalonia opposed them. The votes followed protests triggered by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, whose return to her Madrid home was later negotiated at a low rent. About 70,000 people joined the Madrid demonstration, while protests took place in 50 Spanish cities. Demonstrators called for lower rents, an end to evictions, restrictions on investment funds and a general strike. In Valencia, police used rubber bullets and tear gas, and about 30 protesters briefly entered the City of Arts and Sciences. Spanish media reported that Pedro Sánchez might call a snap election for November, while his office declined to comment. The Bank of Spain estimates the country lacks 700,000 homes; house prices rose 12.2% in the second quarter of 2026, while rents increased 8.5% in 2025.