Santiago's Mayor Accuses Xunta of Political Motives Behind Rental Price Control Withdrawal
Mayor Goretti Sanmartín criticizes Xunta for withdrawing Santiago's housing control request, citing political motives.
Key Points
- • Goretti Sanmartín claims political motives behind Xunta's withdrawal of rental control request.
- • The Xunta cites insufficient documentation as the reason for withdrawal.
- • Sanmartín insists Santiago meets criteria for designation and vows to continue pursuing it.
- • She criticized the Xunta for premature communication of their decision to the media.
The mayor of Santiago de Compostela, Goretti Sanmartín, has publicly condemned the Xunta's recent decision to withdraw the city's request for designation as a 'tensioned residential zone,' which would have enabled local authorities to impose rental price controls. Sanmartín asserts that the Xunta's actions reveal a "clear political intention," undermining the critical need for housing protections in Santiago.
The Santiago City Council's request was officially deemed withdrawn due to what the Instituto Galego de Vivenda e Solo (IGVS) described as insufficient documentation submitted by the local government. However, Sanmartín disputes this rationale, maintaining that Santiago fulfills all criteria necessary for such a designation. She plans to continue advocating for the request, insisting that local residents require stronger measures to address escalating rental costs.
In her criticism, Sanmartín highlighted the controversial manner in which the decision was communicated. The Xunta announced the withdrawal to the press prior to informing Santiago's city council, which she argues reflects the Partido Popular's (PP) disinterest in managing rental pricing issues effectively. As a consequence, the city will now face the challenge of resubmitting its application for the designation, leaving Santiago's housing policy in a precarious state.