Housing groups and the left in Congress are pressuring Junts to save the social safety net.

MadridThe Spanish government is facing its first parliamentary defeat In 2026, Pedro Sánchez put to a vote the last two decree laws of the previous year: the social shield—which includes, among other things, pension increases and the extension of the eviction moratorium and basic utility services for vulnerable people—and the single public transport pass for the entire country. The People's Party (PP) has confirmed it will vote against both texts, and therefore—as usual—everything rests in the hands of Junts, which continues to have severed ties with the Spanish government. In recent hours, Junts members have been highly critical because the first decree mixes an issue they agree with, namely the revaluation of pensions, with another that, for them, is controversial. "They can't force us to vote yes to a situation where you can't do anything if your apartment is occupied and the rent isn't paid," argued the Junts spokesperson in Congress, Míriam Nogueras, during the plenary session, in a speech in which she accused the Moncloa Palace (the Prime Minister's office) of blackmailing them.

Twenty-four hours before the vote, social groups met with Junts, but failed to secure their support. As the countdown to the vote continues, they are maintaining pressure on the Junts members to approve this "essential" measure. Valeria Racu, spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants' Union, believes the Junts members' opposition is "surprising," given that Catalonia is "a leader in evictions." "Junts is completely against what Catalan society needs. We trust they will reconsider and realize that, for the sake of the Catalan people, if that is what they truly care about, they must approve this moratorium," she added in statements made in front of the Congress building. Meanwhile, Paco Moroto, spokesperson for the Platform of People Affected by Mortgages, warned that if the bill fails, there will be "serious and strong mobilizations" in both Madrid and Barcelona. A year and a half ago, the Landlords' Union already called a demonstration outside the Junts headquarters after the party members derailed the regulation of seasonal and room rentals.

Pressure on Junts has also been exerted within the parliament by left-wing parties. ERC deputy Jordi Salvador stated that one would have to be a "bad person" to vote against halting evictions of vulnerable groups. "We are talking about large landlords [...] perhaps in poshland "She knows many people with eleven apartments, but not those in my circle," she reproached Nogueras. Speaking on behalf of Podemos, Ione Belarra demanded that Junts show "a little humanity" towards the people who benefit from these exceptional measures: "Otherwise, they'll think you're the same as Xavier García Albiol," she retorted to Junts. She called it "headline politics" to "gain a little media attention." Representing Sumar, Aina Vidal accused Nogueras of "lying" because her vote against the measure "is shameful." She called for "effective solutions" for vulnerable people thanks to "economic growth." From Moncloa Palace, the government spokesperson, Elma Saiz, also called for "responsibility." Just today, the Council of Ministers approved a 300 million euro allocation to finance the line of action, a gesture that comes in addition to the agreement with Podemos to regularize migrants, which could unlock one of the demands of... The members of the Catalan Parliament this term, such as the delegation of powers in immigration in Catalonia.

Criticism from groups within the PSOE and the PP

Housing groups also addressed the Spanish government: "It is completely incapable of implementing a single measure to protect us," lamented Racu. Morote demanded "structural measures" in housing to overcome what he considers the current "band-aid" social safety net. The People's Party (PP) also faced criticism for its vote against the measure, but reaffirmed its position. PP Deputy Secretary Juan Bravo argued in the plenary session that it is "disrespectful" to mix unrelated issues in the same decree and rejected a ban on evictions, which he maintains "stifles landlords." Protecting vulnerable people, the PP says, is "the job of the State," not of "law-abiding" citizens who "have occupied properties."