Spain's Social Shield Decree Rejected by Congress for Second Time

Spanish Congress Rejects Social Shield Decree

The Spanish Congress on Thursday, February 26, 2026, voted against the government's 'social shield' decree, marking its second rejection in as many attempts. The comprehensive package of social measures, designed to protect vulnerable populations, failed to secure the necessary parliamentary support, with key opposition parties citing concerns over its housing provisions. The decree's defeat underscores the complex political landscape in Spain and the challenges faced by the government in passing its legislative agenda.

Key Measures and Contentious Provisions

The 'social shield' decree encompassed a range of initiatives aimed at mitigating social and economic vulnerabilities. Among its core components were:

• An extension of the anti-eviction moratorium for vulnerable families without alternative housing, a measure initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This provision was modified after an agreement with the PNV to exclude small property owners.
• Aid for victims of the DANA storm and those affected by recent forest fires.
• The continuation of the electricity and heating social bonus.
• A guarantee of basic supplies, including water, natural gas, and electricity, for vulnerable consumers.
• Tax breaks for home renovations aimed at improving energy efficiency and for the purchase of electric vehicles.
• An increase in the minimum living income (IMV).
• Updates to advance payments for autonomous communities and local entities.
• Extension of public transport subsidies and the introduction of a single travel pass.

The anti-eviction moratorium proved to be the most contentious element, with social organizations highlighting that approximately 70,000 families depend on this ban, which has reportedly prevented around 58,000 evictions up to 2024.

Political Divisions Lead to Second Defeat

The decree's rejection was primarily driven by votes from Junts, the Partido Popular (PP), and Vox. Junts, a crucial party for government stability, explicitly stated its opposition due to the inclusion of the anti-eviction measure, with spokesperson Miriam Nogueras asserting, 'Social safety net yes, squatting no.' Junts argued that the provision encourages 'squatting' and fails to address the root causes of the housing crisis, despite the government's attempt to modify the measure to exclude small property owners. The government had previously attempted to pass an 'omnibus decree' combining the social shield with pension revaluation, but after its initial rejection in January, it opted to fragment the package into separate decrees to ensure the passage of pension increases.

Government's Stance and Future Implications

The government, led by Pedro Sánchez, has consistently defended the 'social shield' measures as vital for maintaining social cohesion and protecting the most vulnerable segments of society. Despite the government's efforts to negotiate and modify certain aspects of the decree, particularly the anti-eviction clause, it was unable to garner sufficient support. The repeated failure to pass this significant social legislation highlights ongoing parliamentary fragmentation and the difficulties in forging consensus on key policy issues in Spain.