Spain promises to spare needy from eviction after suicides - suspends eviction orders for two years

In a move which will be welcomed by many and bemoaned by many Spain, after the most recent suicide prompted by the thread of eviction due to mortgage arrears, has announced that it will suspend all eviction orders for two years.

Spain promises to spare needy from eviction after suicides

Spanish Economy Minister Luis de Guindos promised on Monday that no needy family will go homeless over mortgage arrears, responding to public fury at a homeowner's suicide as she was being evicted.

Facing accusations that politicians and banks are complicit in de facto "murder", Spain's banking association said its members would suspend eviction orders for two years for those borrowers worst hit by economic crisis and record unemployment.

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Public pressure prompted Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to call for officials from his conservative People's Party and the opposition Socialists to speed up negotiations on reforming the eviction laws during talks on Monday.

Fans at a Primera Liga soccer match on Saturday protested about the fate of Egana, who killed herself in the Basque town of Barakaldo, and countless others who are losing their homes.

"They're not suicides. They're murders. The banks and politicians are accomplices. Stop the evictions!" read a banner held up by supporters of Rayo Vallecano, which plays in a working class district of Madrid.

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Egana's death, and another eviction-related suicide in October, have intensified a popular backlash with many accusing the banks - some of which will receive part of an up to 100 billion euro European bailout - of callous disregard for the effects of unemployment, which has hit 25 percent.

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Under Spanish law, even when borrowers turn over their homes to the bank, they still owe the entire amount of the mortgage.

A citizens' movement called "Stop Evictions" has organized protests at apartment buildings to block court workers from evicting families.

The pressure by Stop Evictions and other groups led the government to ask banks earlier this year to forgive mortgage debt for properties worth less than 200,000 euros and where all family members are unemployed.

A group of senior judges has pushed for a cross-party agreement on eviction reform, and a police union said it will support officers who refuse to take part in an eviction.

This temporary reprieve comes as a direct result of public outrage. Action was demanded and under the circumstances I'm sure many in Spain view this as a result being taken, demanded and dragged from authority, rather than something merely benignly bestowed.

Nothing appears more surprising to those who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few. ~ David Hume

Is the worm turning?

The good of the people is the highest law. ~ Marcus Cicero

25% unemployment + $100 billion bank bailout =

I don't believe 2 years will make much difference without never-before-seen reform.

This is going to last a long while.

25% unemployment - wow!