Bildu and the Spanish government agree to extend the ban on evictions of vulnerable people for one year

MadridThe extension of the social safety net currently in force, which expires on December 31, is beginning to take shape. After the Spanish government announced that current subsidies for public transport will be maintained, although the extent and duration remain unclear, EH Bildu has reached an agreement with Pedro Sánchez's government to also extend the ban on evicting vulnerable families without alternative housing throughout 2026. Social movements advocating for the right to housing had been lobbying for weeks to maintain this measure, which was approved during the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the ban on cutting off basic utilities (electricity, water, and gas) in vulnerable households and the social electricity voucher have also been extended for another year, as announced this Monday by the Basque nationalist party.In a press release, EH Bildu stated, "It values the agreement reached [this Monday] after intense negotiations in recent weeks. [...] It will allow us to continue offering much-needed protection to thousands of people going through a difficult social and economic situation."

The extension of the current social safety net must be approved at tomorrow's cabinet meeting, the last of the year. It will then need to be ratified by Congress, where the vote is once again expected to be agonizing given the delicate balance with the coalition partners, but especially after the Catalan and Socialist parties broke off relations – Carles Puigdemont's party has stated it will not support any measures unless progress is made on the Brussels agreement.

In parallel with these measures, the Spanish government also plans to approve the new single public transport pass for traveling throughout the Stateby train or bus. The pass will cost €60 per month for general travelers and €30 per month for young people up to 26 years old. The plan is for it to come into effect in the second half of January. In this case, the fine print of this new transport pricing system should also be reviewed.

Negotiations are underway between the PSOE and Sumar parties.

Meanwhile, negotiations continue between the PSOE and Sumar for the approval of other social measures, such as the automatic extension of rental contracts that are about to expire. In fact, in recent days Sumar, the junior partner, has intensified its pressure on the Socialists to concede and has included this measure as one of its demands for reaching an agreement. to rectify the crisisThe government is going through a period of turmoil following scandals involving alleged corruption and sexual and workplace harassment that have plagued Pedro Sánchez's inner circle. Beyond the "radical" cabinet reshuffle, which Sánchez himself has downplayed, Yolanda Díaz's party is pressuring the Socialist wing to advance a social agenda. In addition to extending rental contracts, Sumar is also pushing for a universal childcare allowance.