Spain’s parliament rejects gov’t housing decrees amid mass protests

Spain’s government lost key votes to approve two emergency housing measures aimed at addressing the country’s housing affordability crisis, following intensified protests after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman. The proposed decrees included stopping evictions of vulnerable individuals, restricting real estate speculation, making leases automatically renewable, and providing tax incentives for renting and building housing. The majority of the 350-seat lower house rejected both decrees, dealing a significant blow to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government amid public pressure.