The leader of Junts, Carles Puigdemont, has assured that "all lines have been crossed" after the vote in Congress that has thrown out the decree-law that included the extraordinary extension of rental contracts.
The statement occurs in the context of the political reaction following the rejection of the rule, which lapsed upon not obtaining sufficient support in the Chamber. Junts' position was decisive in the outcome of the vote, along with the rejection by PP and Vox.
The fall of the decree has opened a new political scenario around housing and has generated responses both from the involved parties and within the Executive itself.
The rule included, among other aspects, the possibility of extending contracts and a limit on rent updates, but it did not manage to gather the necessary support to move forward in the Chamber.
Sumar's reaction after the rejection
The rejection of the decree has been interpreted within Sumar as a setback for the coalition government. In different areas of the group, they admit that the vote represents a blow to one of the measures they considered central to the legislature.
Despite this, they maintain that they will bring the initiative back to Congress. The Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, has stated that he will return to the Chamber “as many times as necessary” with a new decree-law to extend rental contracts.
Within the group, the possibility of introducing adjustments to the text is being considered to facilitate its approval in the future, including measures that may attract parliamentary support.
The vote has also evidenced friction within the Executive. From Sumar, criticisms have been expressed for what they consider a scarce involvement of the PSOE in securing the necessary support.
Some leaders of the group consider that the result reflects differences in housing strategy and question the role of the competent Ministry in this matter.
During the debate in Congress, the absence of members of the socialist wing of the Government, and in particular of the Minister of Housing, has been pointed out by representatives of Sumar as an element of unease.
The political debate after the fall of the measure
From Sumar they maintain that, despite the parliamentary rejection, the initiative has placed housing at the center of public debate. In that sense, they consider that they have managed to promote a political discussion on this issue.
They also point out that the vote allows for the identification of differentiated positions among parliamentary groups regarding housing policies.
In parallel, they argue that the extension requests submitted during the period in which the decree was in force must be maintained, although they acknowledge that a legal debate may open regarding its application.