Junts overturns the anti-eviction decrees and Congress is filled with cries of protest

In Congress, “Yes, we can” has been chanted seven times. It sounded with the arrival of Podemos to the Lower House, at Sánchez's investiture as a Christmas gift in 2019 or for the validation of the labor reform. It was the victorious cry of 15-M and the Platform for People Affected by Mortgages (PAH). And yet, in the chamber a decision on housing has never been celebrated with that cry. Yesterday wasn't the day either. PP, Vox and Junts overturned the two anti-eviction decrees of the Government and what was heard from the public gallery was “the vulture funds govern Congress.” And out: “Shame”.\n\nThe eviction of Maricarmen has turned the political script from Ceuta to Puerta del Sol. From the immigrants to return to Morocco to the demands of the Tenants' Union. And in the umpteenth tightrope walk exercise, Pedro Sánchez glimpsed an opportunity to respond to the unrest on the street, but he miscalculated with Junts. The housing emergency is pragmatic, the electoral emergency only knows maximums. And, when the Government is cornered, the credit becomes a reverse mortgage. “Lentils,” challenged Gabriel Rufián. Junts, leave them.\n\nThe post-convergents have long since converted their weight in Congress into a window for the economic sectors in Catalonia. On Wednesday Miriam Nogueras made it clear at the Pimec gala that they had “no fear” of “burning themselves” to defend “the interests of Catalan families.” Those around Junts are convinced that not all spokespersons would defend, as Nogueras has done, the vote against social protection decrees. And not only because of Aina Vidal's shirt or Rufián's performances and his 50 euro bills. There the animosity is mutual. Even Sánchez has warned Junts that their vote will “portray them to entire generations.” But the electoral plagues that threaten Junts come from the extreme right.\n\nThey know that in the camp in the Plaza de Catalunya there is not a single Junts voter; However, they admit that their supporters digest the conflict poorly and many are debating whether to stay at home or vote for Aliança Catalana, although not in the general elections, since they do not plan to appear. Under the last CEO, housing was also the main concern among the Junts electorate; On the contrary, Sílvia Orriols' supporters are more attentive to immigration and security.\n\nJunts' no to the decrees reiterates that the legislature died months ago; and the new indignados have become an “opportunity” for the PSOE. The electoral advance has pros and cons. The socialists believe that they can capitalize on the unrest in the streets and set the agenda, leaving Ceuta behind. Then they take out the calculator and verify that to the left of the PSOE “there is nothing voteable”, as certified by the ERC spokesperson. Mobilization is key, but do the sums add up?\n\nThe other risk is assuming that the unrest is not with the Government. That it doesn't arrive late and bad. In 2015, Sánchez promised that with a socialist government there would be no more evictions in Spain. He repeated it as a candidate for the presidency with Ciudadanos the following year. When he arrived at Moncloa in 2018, he promised a housing law and an end to the purchase of apartments by vulture funds. Only 15 days ago the PSOE prevented, with its abstention, the processing of a bill by Sumar limiting these operations. They were about to evict Maricarmen...\n\nIn the last electoral campaign, the president launched fifteen commitments regarding housing. For example, 20,000 affordable homes were promised on land given by the Ministry of Defense. Three years later, the projects are in “preparation” or “development”.\n\nThis week the Government has needed twelve pages of preamble and Maricarmen to address the main problem that citizens have been pointing out for two years. The emergency was addressed in the decrees, but the housing problem is also that of low salaries, collapsed public services and broken transportation. Do you want lentils?