Spain: Government approves social measures before November elections

O Spanish government of socialist Pedro Sánchez again today approved a series of social measures, such as strengthening support or incentives for university accommodation, just over a month from the early legislative of 29 November.

“ This government continues to rule. The government must continue to respond to the challenges facing citizens,” said the executive spokesperson, Minister Elma Saiz, at the press conference following the weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers on Tuesdays.

The early elections were called by Sánchez on October 5th and since then the Council of Ministers has approved measures such as today's or housing decrees, to increase the protection of tenants, hinder evictions and halt the increase in rents.

Last week, the Central Electoral Board (JEC, similar to the National Election Commission in Portugal) opened a process for Pedro Sánchez for possible violation of electoral laws due to the press conference he held at the seat of the Government after the Council of Ministers which approved the housing decrees.

Sánchez is the subject of a sanction procedure that may result in the payment of a fine of between 300 and 3,000 euros following a complaint from the People's Party (PP, right), which considered that the Prime Minister held "a PSOE rally" (Socialist Party) at the seat of the Government.

Asked today whether the government is not afraid of new JEC cases and other complaints for continuing to adopt measures such as this week, the spokesman said that the executive “will continue to work” to “prove rights” and extend “social protection”, always with “tax liability”, as she believes it was demonstrated in the last legislatures, taking into account the growth figures of the economy and public deficit.

“ This government hears the social cry,” he added, referring to the protests that have mobilized thousands of people in Spain because of housing or, in the Madrid region, also teachers and other education professionals, whose guardianship is the regional executives. In the case of Madrid, the autonomous government is in the hands of the PP.

The measures adopted today by the Council of Ministers provide for the strengthening, among others, of support for women with diseases associated with menopause, victims of gender violence or families with children with severe diseases.

On the other hand, it has released EUR 1.3 million to institutions supporting women victims of violence in Ceuta.

On the other hand, the government approved financing with EUR 45 million of projects to build 2,000 places in university residences or direct support to the autonomous regions that declared tension zones in the housing market. This support, which can reach EUR 180 million as a whole, aims to promote more public supply of houses by regional executives.

Another measure adopted today unlocks 9 million for support for farms affected by summer fires.

The Spanish press has reported on the government's intention to continue to adopt measures in the forthcoming Councils of Ministers until the elections, including a further rise in the national minimum wage, in what newspapers, televisions and radios already call "social Tuesdays".