Spain Rushes Housing Decree After 87-Year-Old Eviction

The Spanish government is racing to approve a housing decree at the next Cabinet meeting following the eviction of Maricarmen, an 87-year-old vulnerable woman, from her Madrid apartment. Riot police removed her on Wednesday after the property was acquired by investment fund Urbagestión Desarrollo e Inversión S.L., which refused negotiation offers.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, speaking from New York, acknowledged the need for an urgent response to the "social tragedy" but called for parliamentary responsibility to pass the decree. The legislation has been stalled since July due to lack of parliamentary support, with the right-wing PP, Vox, and Junts blocking a previous version in April.

“The Government of Spain cannot allow the speculative interest of a vulture fund to prevail over the general interest.”

Junior coalition partner Sumar is demanding the decree's approval "yes or yes" by Tuesday, with ministers Pablo Bustinduy, Sira Rego, and Yolanda Díaz pressuring the Socialists. Sumar has formally proposed expropriating Maricarmen's specific apartment to reverse the eviction and signal determination against speculative funds.

Negotiations continue with other parliamentary groups, though Podemos and Junts threaten to reject the text again if their demands are not met. The government had previously delayed the decree awaiting signs of parliamentary viability, a calculation upended by the public outcry over the eviction images.