Political situation in Spain

Several emergency measures to address Spain's housing crisis

The Spanish government has approved 21 emergency measures to curb the country's housing crisis and quell widespread protests, AP reports.

The measures include, among other things, relaxed regulations for buying or renting homes, expanded eviction protection for vulnerable tenants, rent controls, and taxes on vacation rentals.

"We will not allow anyone else to be evicted like Maricarmen," says Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from the Madrid home where she had lived for 70 years after her rent increased fivefold. That event sparked the housing protests.

Puigdemont may return to Spain after nine years

A Spanish judge has lifted the arrest warrant for Catalonia's former leader Carles Puigdemont. This means he can return to Spain after nearly nine years in Belgium, Reuters and AFP report.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez welcomed the decision at a press conference in Madrid on Tuesday. He stated that it could help Catalonia "look to the future."

Puigdemont left Spain in 2017 after leading Catalonia's illegal independence referendum. He was later accused of using public funds to organize the vote. He can now return without facing arrest.