PNV confirms support for Maricarmen decree despite Basque rental decline

The Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) has confirmed it will vote in favor of the Maricarmen decree on November 12. The decision comes despite data from Idealista showing a significant drop in rental supply across the Basque Country. Specifically, rental listings have fallen by 24% in San Sebastian and 21% in Bilbao, while Vitoria and Pamplona have seen even steeper declines.

The Maricarmen decree was prompted by the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an elderly woman whose case led to calls for new housing legislation. The PNV argues that the first decree includes necessary measures, such as regulating seasonal rentals, limiting vulture funds, and protecting vulnerable tenants and small-scale landlords with two properties or fewer.

However, the PNV has declined to support a second decree sponsored by Sumar. The party characterized the second proposal as an attack on small property owners, noting that it requires landlords to pay tenants 12 months of rent if they wish to recover their homes.