Spain announces ban on evictions after protests over 87-year-old woman’s removal from flat

(BBC) – Spain’s coalition government has approved new housing measures following protests over the country’s housing crisis, sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home in Madrid last week.

Ministers met on Tuesday to discuss the proposals, which include a ban on evictions until 2030.

Announcing the measures, Health Minister Mónica García said they would bring relief to more than five million people – but opposition politician Míriam Nogueras said the agreement left “small landlords out in the cold”.

The proposals – which have been presented in the form of two decrees – come into effect immediately, but must be approved by Congress within a month, although the government hopes to hold the vote as soon as this Friday.

Pedro Sánchez’s leftist coalition government lacks a majority in parliament and has struggled to get right-leaning parties to approve previous decrees.

In April, a decree seeking to roll over rental contracts was blocked by right-leaning parties.

García, of the Sumar alliance, said other measures agreed upon on Tuesday included the rolling over of contracts until 2028; stricter regulation of short-term and room rentals; and banning the purchase of housing by investment firms.

“It is time to intervene in the speculative housing market and start striking a balance between ordinary citizens and vulture funds,” García said.