Mark Stücklin
A new national survey shows that while housing worries unite Spaniards across the political spectrum, their views on what causes the crisis — and how to fix it — differ sharply depending on political allegiance.
Shared concern, different villains
Across all electorates, housing is rated as one of the country’s biggest challenges, with average concern levels between 8 and 9 out of 10. But when it comes to pointing fingers, the picture changes. Right-leaning voters tend to blame lack of new construction, high taxes and red tape, while left-leaning voters overwhelmingly single out tourist rentals as the main culprit driving up costs and reducing supply.
On the Right:
PP
Convinced that Spain is not building enough, 72% of PP voters highlight scarce construction as the key cause, followed by high taxes (59%) and bureaucracy (40%). Their preferred solutions are straightforward: facilitate new building (73%) and accelerate evictions of squatters (68%). Rent caps find little favour here.
Vox
Housing anxiety is high among Vox supporters (8.8/10). They blame high taxes (69%), bureaucracy (52%) and lack of new construction (59%). Solutions follow the same pattern: swift evictions of squatters (77%), more building (71%), and liberalising urban land (67%). Rent controls are firmly rejected.
Junts
Less alarmed overall (7.9/10), Junts voters blame a mix of tourist rentals (65%), lack of construction (50%), and high taxes (49%). Their favoured measures include building more homes (59%) and faster evictions of squatters (53%).
PNV
PNV supporters give housing an 8/10 concern rating. They see tourist rentals (83%) and rising construction costs (46%) as the main obstacles, and prioritise VPO (88%) along with public guarantees for first-time buyers (57%).
On the Left:
PSOE
The Socialist base points squarely at tourist rentals (78%) as the main driver of high prices. In line with that view, 61% back rent caps in tense areas. Support for more social housing (84%) is strong, while PSOE voters also see regional governments as having a big role in fixing the problem.
Sumar
The most worried electorate of all (9.2/10), Sumar voters overwhelmingly blame tourist rentals (87%). Their priorities are rent controls (80%) and more social housing (91%). They see state intervention as essential, and housing policies weigh heavily in their voting choices.
ERC
Similar to Sumar and PSOE voters, ERC supporters hold tourist rentals (77%) responsible, back rent controls (66%), and want more VPO (82%).
EH Bildu
Deeply concerned (8.9/10), Bildu voters also point to tourist rentals (81%) as the root of the crisis. They strongly support VPO (87%) and rent caps (66%).
One shared demand
Despite the ideological splits, one message is universal: more than 90% of Spaniards, across all parties, want a State pact on housing. The electorate may disagree on the details, but it is united in its impatience for solutions.
For more about this survey check out this article: Housing crisis blamed on lack of new homes and tourist rentals reveals national survey
Comparative summary by party preference
| Party | Main causes blamed | Preferred solutions |
|---|---|---|
| PP (Right) | Lack of construction (72%), high taxes (59%), bureaucracy (40%) | Build more (73%), evict squatters faster (68%), reject rent caps |
| Vox (Hard Right) | High taxes (69%), bureaucracy (52%), lack of construction (59%) | Evict squatters faster (77%), build more (71%), liberalise land (67%) |
| Junts (Catalan Right) | Tourist rentals (65%), lack of construction (50%), high taxes (49%) | Build more (59%), evict squatters faster (53%) |
| PNV (Basque Right) | Tourist rentals (83%), construction costs (46%) | More VPO (88%), public guarantees (57%) |
| PSOE (Left) | Tourist rentals (78%) | Rent caps (61%), more VPO (84%), regional role |
| Sumar (Hard Left) | Tourist rentals (87%) | Rent caps (80%), more VPO (91%), strong state role |
| ERC (Hard Left) | Tourist rentals (77%) | Rent caps (66%), more VPO (82%) |
| Bildu (Hard Left) | Tourist rentals (81%) | More VPO (87%), rent caps (66%) |
