Catalonia’s rent cap law under threat as Spanish government considers appeal

Praised by housing activists, the measure would be put on hold should Madrid challenge its constitutionality

Housing rights' activists protest in front of the Catalan parliament (by Blanca Blay)
Housing rights' activists protest in front of the Catalan parliament (by Blanca Blay) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

June 11, 2021 02:36 PM

The Spanish government is considering an appeal against Catalonia’s rent cap law, promoted by housing rights activists as a much-needed step towards keeping ever-increasing rent prices at bay, on the basis that it is unconstitutional.

Passed by lawmakers in the Catalan parliament last September, the measure was subsequently taken to the Constitutional Court by the conservative People’s Party — however, an appeal by the Spanish cabinet would automatically put the law on hold until a ruling is issued.

Asked about the possibility of challenging the bill, Spain’s Territorial Policy minister, Miquel Iceta, said on Wednesday that he had the "political, moral, and legal obligation" to do so if he believed Catalonia had overstepped its regional powers.

The deadline to appeal the law ends on June 22, nine months after it came into force.