Spanish parliament passes housing measures after nationwide strike, protests-Xinhua - 新华网

MADRID, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Spain's parliament on Thursday approved a package of housing measures aimed at easing the country's worsening housing crisis, a day after a nationwide general strike and mass protests over rising living costs.

The Permanent Deputation of the Congress of Deputies ratified the decree by a narrow margin of 35 votes to 34, with the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) casting the decisive vote, according to Spanish public broadcaster RTVE.

The approved measures include extending protections against evictions for vulnerable tenants without alternative accommodation until 2030, allowing rental contracts to be extended for up to two years, limiting annual rent increases until the end of 2027 and introducing tax incentives for landlords who reduce rents. A separate decree proposing indefinite extensions of rental contracts was rejected.

Wednesday's nationwide general strike saw demonstrations in major cities, including Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, with protesters demanding greater access to affordable housing and higher wages.

The vote came a day before the official election campaign was set to begin on Friday, ahead of Spain's Nov. 29 general election.

The two decrees were adopted by the government on Oct. 6, a day after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called an early election following parliament's rejection of earlier housing measures. ■