The Justice Efficiency Bill, a key piece of legislation aimed at modernizing Spain’s legal system, has encountered a veto by the Senate vetoes. The bill, which was approved by the Congress of Deputies on November 14, includes two major measures: fast-track trials for illegal squatting of homes and the elimination of golden visas for foreign investors who purchase property worth over half a million euros. These measures were designed to streamline the judicial process and address housing-related issues.
The Senate, controlled by the People’s Party (PP), used its absolute majority to approve a veto, sending the bill back to the Congress. The veto could be lifted by the Congress if there is enough political support. Among the notable provisions of the bill is the expedited processing of cases involving illegal squatting, which would allow trials to be conducted within 15 days. Additionally, the bill seeks to abolish the golden visa program, which grants residency to foreign investors who buy expensive real estate in Spain.
The PP’s opposition to the bill centers on what they describe as a lack of proper regulatory technique and planning. They argue that the simultaneous processing of two related legislative projects, which address similar issues, leads to confusion and could undermine legal certainty. The PP also points out that the bill’s timing, which coincides with other reforms targeting the same laws, could result in contradictory provisions being approved almost simultaneously, causing legal instability.
Furthermore, the PP emphasizes that the Government has not followed proper procedures in introducing this new version of the bill, which has been restructured and renamed. They claim that the Government’s approach, which mixes various legal matters into one package, risks forcing through provisions that have not been fully agreed upon. The PP argues that the Government should have pursued these reforms separately, ensuring a clearer, more coherent legislative process.
In summary, the bill’s provisions on squatting and golden visas have sparked a significant political debate, with the PP using its Senate majority to block the legislation and call for a more organized, well-planned approach to reform the judicial system.
