

This past Sunday, Spain’s People’s Party (PP) held a summit in Asturias that culminated in the presentation of an Asturias Declaration laying out the PP’s position on pressing national issues, particularly housing and immigration, while also taking aim at the Socialist government’s policies under Pedro Sánchez.
The declaration (Declaración de Asturias in Spanish) marks the PP’s efforts to establish itself as a credible alternative to the current administration, with a focus on pragmatic solutions to key voter concerns. Here’s a breakdown of the main themes and key points.
Addressing Spain’s housing crisis
The PP identifies the housing crisis as a significant national challenge, one they argue has been exacerbated by the current government’s policies. To combat this, the Asturias Declaration outlines a detailed plan featuring tax breaks, financial aid for young buyers, a tougher stance on illegal property occupation, and a proposed new National Housing Plan.
Key housing proposals
- Tax breaks:
- Reduction of the Property Transfer Tax (ITP) to 4% for buyers under 40.
- Deductions on income tax (IRPF) for investments in primary residences, renting to specific groups, and energy-efficient home improvements.
- Financial support:
- Guarantees to help young buyers under 40 secure 100% mortgage financing.
- Increasing housing supply:
- Mobilising public land for construction through public-private partnerships.
- Encouraging the release of empty properties into the rental market while ensuring safeguards against non-payment.
- Tackling “squatting”:
- Repealing the current Housing Law, which the PP claims favours illegal occupiers.
- Introducing a new law for expedited evictions within 24 hours and harsher penalties for squatters.
- Repealing rent controls:
- Removing rent control measures introduced by the Sánchez government, which the PP argues distort the rental market.
- Streamlining bureaucracy:
- Reducing the time for urban planning approvals and simplifying administrative processes.
Criticism of Sánchez government
The Asturias Declaration does not hold back in its criticism of the Sánchez government, labelling its policies ineffective and its governance as drifting toward authoritarianism. PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo accused the PSOE of mismanagement across several fronts.
Immigration
The declaration calls for a “responsible immigration policy” to address the growing issues of illegal immigration. Highlighting the situation in the Canary Islands and Ceuta, Feijóo criticised the government’s approach as chaotic and irresponsible, stating:
“It is a problem of such magnitude that the central government cannot address it by blaming the autonomous communities or distributing immigrants without proportional agreements.”
Judicial independence and press freedom
The PP accuses the Sánchez government of eroding democratic principles, particularly with proposals to:
- Limit private prosecutions.
- Restrict judicial criticism.
- Decriminalise certain offences against religious sentiments.
In the PP’s view, these moves reflect an “anti-democratic drift,” with the declaration warning of actions “against freedom of the press and against Justice.”
Economic distribution
In response to calls for singular financing for Catalonia, the PP proposes a new model of economic distribution to be decided in multilateral forums, ensuring fairness across autonomous communities.
Focus on youth
Recognising the difficulties faced by young Spaniards in accessing affordable housing, the PP’s plan centres on measures to support younger generations. By reducing taxes, guaranteeing mortgages, and increasing housing supply, the party aims to alleviate the financial hurdles that currently block many young people from entering the property market.
Positioning for the future
The Asturias Declaration underscores the PP’s intention to position itself as a pragmatic, solution-oriented party ahead of upcoming elections. By tackling hot-button issues like housing and immigration, the PP seeks to resonate with voters frustrated by the current government’s policies.
As Feijóo declared at the summit: “Spain is not obliged to maintain the misgovernment of recent years; it is a more important country.” Whether this approach will resonate with the electorate remains to be seen, but the PP is clearly betting on dissatisfaction with the Sánchez government to propel its electoral ambitions.
Summary of the Asturias Declaration
From the PP website.
People’s Party (PP) housing and policy commitments
- Housing Solutions in Response to Government Failure
- To improve access to first homes for target groups (young people, large and single-parent families, individuals with disabilities, victims of gender violence, communities at risk of depopulation, historic centres, and rural areas), the PP proposes tax reductions for both buyers and renters, as well as landlords offering properties for rent.
- Rejecting the exploitation of crises for increased tax revenues, the PP guarantees a maximum 4% Property Transfer Tax (ITP) for young people as part of a broader support package.
- They will extend the eligibility for mortgage guarantees to individuals up to 40 years old.
- Landlords renting out vacant properties will benefit from rent default insurance and legal support.
- The PP demands the unblocking of the anti-squatting law to allow for evictions within 24 hours.
- All available public land will be allocated to the development of rental housing priced 30% below the market average.
- A commitment is made to streamline urban planning processes, reducing the time required for approval from nine months to three.
- The regulatory framework for accessing subsidised housing will be made more flexible to benefit a wider audience.
- The PP calls for the repeal of the current Housing Law, arguing that ineffective laws must be replaced.
- Acknowledging the urgency of reform, the PP will present a new Land Law proposal in the coming weeks.
- Legislative Reforms for Open Markets
The PP will push for regional legislative reforms to eliminate regulatory barriers, fostering an open market that counters the government’s anti-business stance and legal insecurity. - Progress on Education Reform
The PP celebrates advancements under the Córdoba Declaration, particularly the implementation of a unified university entrance exam (EBAU). - Policy That Works for the People
The PP highlights their commitment to effective governance, contrasting it with a weak and divided government more focused on its judicial issues than the public’s needs. - Institutional Loyalty and Criticism of the President’s Conference
The PP reaffirms their institutional loyalty while criticising the government for turning the President’s Conference into a series of ineffective monologues. - Fair Negotiations and Equal Opportunities
They condemn Sánchez’s transactional approach to negotiations, likening it to a “Persian bazaar,” and demand equal rights and opportunities for all Spaniards. - Fiscal Responsibility and Regional Financing
The PP calls for a Fiscal and Financial Policy Council to address regional financing systematically, opposing any steps toward fiscal independence requested by separatists. - Tax Reform for Competitiveness
Advocating for a tax policy that boosts competitiveness and increases household incomes, the PP calls for the reinstatement of reduced VAT rates on basic food items, including meat, fish, and tinned goods. - Defence of Democratic Values and Media Freedom
The PP reaffirms their commitment to the separation of powers and media freedom, denouncing the government’s anti-democratic tendencies, stating: “All are equal under the law.” - Integrity in Public Life
They champion honesty in public service, condemning the corruption surrounding the government and criticising the PSOE’s efforts to hinder judicial independence. - Opposition to Institutional Exploitation
The PP denounces the misuse of public resources for partisan purposes, describing it as a form of corruption. - Respect for Parliamentary Legitimacy
They demand respect for the parliamentary majority’s legitimacy and an end to the systematic obstruction of PP initiatives. - Responsible Immigration Policy
The PP calls for measures to curb illegal immigration and urges the government to address the current emergency in the Canary Islands and Ceuta by providing direct care and funding for unaccompanied minors in critical situations. - Support for Global Democracy
The PP commits to defending democracies worldwide and criticises the Spanish government’s lack of transparency in international decision-making. - Commitment to Ongoing Dialogue
The PP pledges to continue holding regular meetings to address the real challenges faced by citizens.