Sumar proposes a challenge to the PSOE and calls for Isabel Rodríguez's removal.

MadridSumar is raising its tone against the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) and suggesting the resignation of Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez in the face of the price crisis. "We need serious, brave, and innovative measures. And we are afraid that Isabel Rodríguez hasn't fully embraced this, and therefore should give way to whoever is willing to do so," stated Verónica Martínez Barbero, Sumar's spokesperson in Congress. Pilar Alegría, the spokesperson for the Spanish Parliament, countered that she does not share the request, and the Socialist party in the coalition maintains that it is "unjustified." "The groups must do their work to draw attention," Rodríguez herself reacted in the corridors of the Senate.

The minority partner of the Spanish government received with "disappointment" Rodríguez's appearance last week in Congress, in which she announced a toll-free number, 047, for housing inquiries. "You can't come to the plenary session and propose telephone lines of hope," said Martínez Barbero, almost ironically. From the Commons, MP Gerardo Pisarello has warned that Rodríguez's time is "running out" and that the public is "running out of patience." Sources close to Yolanda Díaz, the Spanish government's second vice president, have declined to support his call for resignation, stating that it is a matter for the parliamentary group.

What does Sumar propose?

The housing law passed during the previous term isn't yielding results everywhere because some autonomous communities don't apply the price cap to rent. This is the case in Madrid, for example. For this reason, Sumar proposed some urgent measures a few weeks ago, such as freezing rental contracts, that is, extending their expiration dates so that owners can't sign new ones and raise the price. Market intervention would include requiring that, until areas under pressure are declared pursuant to the housing law, new contracts be priced at the same rate as the previous one.

This rent control would also apply to room rentals, which would be regulated to be for rentals of more than 30 days, otherwise they would be considered tourist rentals. The goal is to prevent fraud by platforms that present them as seasonal. Tourist rentals should be subject to a 21% VAT rate. To curb speculation, Sumar also calls for a 5% annual tax on real estate assets for owners who own four or more homes. Also, there's a 40% corporate tax discount on rental income if it's used for affordable rentals. New home purchases intended for rental purposes may only be used for affordable rentals.

From the Moncloa Palace, Alegría countered that the Spanish government "takes the housing issue very seriously" and noted that the budget has increased eightfold. Sources from the aforementioned ministry criticize the fact that she has been waiting for a month for Sumar to appoint interlocutors to address some of her demands and that they have still not reached an agreement. This party asserts that this is an "excuse" and that the important thing is not the people, but the policies. Other sources from the Moncloa Palace point out that some of the proposals are unconstitutional, downplaying the call for resignation and framing it as an attempt by Sumar to gain ground.

Pressure from the Commons also in the PSC

In Catalonia, meanwhile, the Comuns (Spanish National Assembly) have also pressured the Catalan government along similar lines. Comuns (Spanish National Assembly) leader Jéssica Albiach has warned the Catalan executive that the possibility of obtaining its support for the budget is fading if there is no progress on housing. "Agreements are meant to be fulfilled," she said at a press conference. However, the executive is currently finalizing the anti-eviction unit, according to spokesperson Sílvia Paneque, who expressed "optimism."

In fact, it is initially expected to be implemented this October as part of a measure agreed upon in the investiture pact between the PSC (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) and Comuns (Spanish National Assembly). However, Albiach noted that no sanctions have yet been applied for violating the housing law, nor has this unit been created, nor has the registry of large landowners been created.reports Roger Palós.