Spain's rental-contract decree needs confirmation from Congress's Permanent Deputation to take effect Nov. 15, putting a housing decision on the calendar before the country's Nov. 29 general election.
Spain's Cabinet adopted two housing measures Oct. 6, and the official gazette published them Oct. 7. Both require confirmation by the Permanent Deputation. Royal Decree-law 29/2026, the general housing measure, took effect Oct. 8; Royal Decree-law 28/2026 covers rental contracts and has a conditional Nov. 15 start.
The government says the measures are intended to help tenants and small property owners and curb speculation. Earlier versions failed to secure parliamentary confirmation. A decree issued at Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's proposal set the general election for Nov. 29.
In Italy, the CGIL labor union held a national demonstration in Rome on Oct. 17 focused on wages, taxes, health care and education. Italy's statistics agency, Istat, reported that consumer prices in September were 4.2% higher than a year earlier. It identified energy and unprocessed food as major drivers of the increase and found faster third-quarter price growth for lower-spending households.
France's Education Ministry plans to send more than 3,000 replacement teachers quickly to high schools with the greatest need, addressing missed classes. The ministry is also asking high school students about their experience, including lost class time, facilities and schedules, in a consultation open through Oct. 23. Separately, it expects to decide on improvements to Parcoursup admissions by the end of October following a different dialogue.
The disputes concern different groups and policies. Alberto Alemanno, Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law at HEC Paris, told Euronews that Europe's protests reflect distinct concerns, as earlier EconoTimes coverage of European protests reported.
France's student consultation closes Oct. 23. Istat's next inflation release is scheduled for Oct. 30, before the Spanish rental decree's conditional Nov. 15 start.
