Rufián raises his voice against Junts: "I wish them years of political ostracism if they overturn the housing decree"

MadridThere isn't a session in the Congress of Deputies that doesn't involve a clash between Junts and Esquerra. The leader of the Republicans, Gabriel Rufián, himself admitted this on Wednesday while speaking during the appearance of the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, regarding the war in Iran. From the podium, Rufián said the following: "Some Catalan journalists are already writing the story 'Rufián attacks Junts,' well, yes. I don't care because, fortunately, people have other means of communication to find out what's happening here. Junts is lying, and there are just under 30 days to tell people," he declared, alluding to Junts' opposition to ratifying the decree extending rental contracts issued by the Spanish government, which must be voted on in Congress within the next month. "Who do you work for? Don't you have any voters whose rental contracts are about to expire? Why this self-destructive vote? Do you own a real estate company?" he asked the Junts per Catalunya party members. "If you overturn this decree, I wish you years of political ostracism, and I promise I will work very hard to make sure it happens. You are doing a terrible disservice to the people of this country," he concluded.

Miriam Nogueras's party has opposed the measure and has already announced its 'no' vote, which will mean that the decree law will lapse, because they consider it a disguised expropriation and an "anti-property" policy that is leaving the housing market without rental supply.

In response, Nogueras dedicated a significant portion of her speech to housing. After criticizing what she considers "propaganda" from Comuns, Sumar, and Podemos with their "terrible policies," she harshly attacked the extension of rental contracts: "It's poorly done and lacks rigor. It harms small landlords, who can't recover their properties." She accused the Spanish government of merely "generating headlines." The Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, responded to Nogueras with an invitation to share "any doubts, reservations, suggestions, or contributions" with Sumar. "We will negotiate whatever is necessary with everyone," Bustinduy said in statements to the halls of Congress, also warning of the "cost" this will have for the opposing parties, while expressing his conviction that it will ultimately pass. "We will be involved by land, sea, and air [in the negotiation]," said the minister from the junior partner in the coalition.