Spanish Congress rejects housing laws despite Sánchez's warning: 'They'll be judged sooner than they think'

Spain's parliament on Friday rejected two housing decree-laws promoted by the government of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, aimed at tackling a housing crisis that has spurred nationwide protests.

The two votes are a heavy political blow to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and went ahead as hundreds of protesters gathered outside parliament.

These rejections, delivered in a voice vote, represent a parliamentary setback for the executive and came after a sitting marked by last-minute negotiations and uncertainty over the support of its parliamentary partners. Sánchez spoke for a few minutes before the vote to urge MPs to "do the right thing or history will judge you sooner than you think and more harshly than you can imagine."

After the first of the decrees was rejected by 172 votes in favour and 178 against, a demonstration marched to Madrid's central Puerta del Sol square, chanting "General strike!" The second decree was then also voted down.