Madrid:Spain's government has approved two new housing decrees, reinstating measures that were rejected by parliament last week. This move comes as housing protests intensify ahead of the early elections slated for November 29.

According to Anadolu Agency, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that the new package retains the core of the previous proposals while including additional measures to expand affordable housing, support first-time buyers, and protect tenants. He emphasized the importance of the government continuing its duties and urged lawmakers to endorse the revised package, citing it as essential for the housing market's proper functioning.

The revised package includes 21 measures, notably a £10 billion financing program offering interest-free loans up to £50,000 for first-time homebuyers. It also introduces tax deductions for tenants and incentives for small landlords providing affordable rents. To boost housing supply, the government has announced £280 million in guarantees for housing construction and £400 million for social housing providers. Casa 47, a public housing company, will acquire properties from Spain's social security system for affordable housing.

Tenants up-to-date with rent payments can seek lease extensions of up to two years. Other measures limit rent increases, provide protections for vulnerable residents, and regulate landlord property recoveries. Temporary and room rentals will be regulated, restricting investment fund purchases and taxing tourist apartments as businesses.

Sanchez acknowledged a lack of support for the more ambitious automatic lease-renewal policy proposed last week, which would have required landlords to compensate tenants for non-renewal of contracts without proper justification.

Although parliament is currently dissolved, the government can approve emergency decree-laws, which must be ratified within 30 days by the lower house's Permanent Deputation. This body may find a majority without the Catalan separatist party Junts, whose opposition led to the initial defeat. The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) could play a pivotal role, as it is in negotiations for safeguards for small landlords and vulnerable residents.

In a related development, Spain's largest unions, UGT and CCOO, have agreed to call a 24-hour general strike this autumn over issues related to wages and housing affordability, pending approval by their governing bodies. Demonstrations continue across Spain, with a protest camp set up in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, following the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal. The housing issue has become central to the election campaign as Sanchez seeks a stronger parliamentary majority.