A few days before Royal Decree-Law 8/2026, of March 20, - in which, among other things, the extension of leases is included, from which more than 2 million people with contracts about to expire could benefit - is submitted for validation in Congress, with broad possibilities of failing according to what the different parliamentary groups have declared so far, a mechanism has been activated to try to turn the tortilla around with a formula that combines social mobilization, demographic pressure in favor of the measure, and political activity.
The most left-wing wing of the Government has made explicit calls to society for "the greatest possible mobilization" in favor of the cause through, among others, Minister Pablo Bustinduy, who this very week sent a letter to Alberto Núñez Feijóo asking him to reconsider his group's stance, which is contrary to the extension, while warning PP, Junts and Vox that voting against the decree-law is "going against thousands of families".
The objective, that next Tuesday it be voted under visible pressure that makes the validation of the measure not only a parliamentary but also a social cause.
Social pressure: emails and concentration at the PP headquarters
The same direct campaign that has been carried out from the left spectrum inviting tenants to request the extension of their contracts for rent before the decree-law is submitted to the examination of the Lower House, reinforces that pressure under which the norm is wanted to be put to a vote. The political message is clear: if thousands of tenants take advantage of the rent extension during the window of about 30 days opened by the Executive, it will be more difficult to overturn the measure.
The tenants' unions and other social groups are rowing for their part in favor of the decree-law not lapsing and have decided to give it their all between now and Tuesday. After having facilitated the submission of extension requests by tenants whose contracts end in 2026 and 2027, through a vast information campaign, they are now focusing on the deputies who will have to speak out in Congress.
Thus, this Thursday they launched an initiative by which they invite - and make possible - that any citizen directly send a letter to each of the PP and Junts deputies explaining why they should validate the rent extension.
At the same time, for this Sunday there is a rally called before the national headquarters of the 'popular' party, on Génova street in Madrid, as a street pressure action.
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73.6% of Spaniards support extending the rent extension, according to a survey for Sumar
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Demoscopy as a tool
At the same time, the left's great political asset in defense of the extension is to boast of social support and, in this regard, a survey commissioned by Sumar MEP Estrella Galán to Atenea del Dato, released at the beginning of this week, has done its part by providing the following data: 74% of Spaniards support the extension of rent controls. Within that percentage, and according to the same survey, there would also be PP voters, 65% of whom would want the decree-law to be validated.
The poll also indicates that one out of every three 'popular' voters would reconsider their support for Feijóo's party if he were to vote against the rent extension, thus warning Génova of a possible high electoral cost of maintaining its current position.
The strategy of both the Government and Sumar seeks to link the possible vote against the decree-law next Tuesday to a defense of the interests of large property owners and the blocking of measures that will benefit more than two million tenants, making it seem that their stance would have immediate social consequences materialized in rent increases at the end of rental contracts and a loss of protection for tenants.
Another study, published by the Ministry of Consumption last Thursday, served to further heat up the atmosphere using demoscopy as a tool. This time, the report indicates that 61% of the homes offered on the rental market belong to individuals with two or more rented apartments, legal entities, and public administrations, while the rest remain in the hands of small owners with only one rented property.
The vote on April 28 is not being played out solely in the hemicycle but is being fought in the street, in the polls, and in public opinion. In that scenario, the People's Party has become the decisive vote under maximum cross-pressure.
Royal Decree-Law 8/2026, on the brink
In the examination in Congress to which Royal Decree-Law 8/2026, of March 20, on measures regarding rent, will be submitted on Tuesday, April 28, it is closer to failing than to being validated.
Blocks in Congress:
- In favor: PSOE + Sumar + usual allies → ~170-175 seats
- Against: PP + Vox + Junts → ~175-180 seats
The decree-law will fail if the second block votes united. Junts and PP have spoken out against its validation, so the most likely scenario is that it will be rejected.