‘We hadn’t thought of that’: Sánchez’s savage response to Jeff Bezos over Spain’s housing crisis

If you are struggling to find an affordable home in Spain you’re not alone, and the argument over how to fix the housing crisis has now reached some of the world’s richest people. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has backed criticism of the Spanish government’s housing policies, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to hit back at what he calls wealthy ‘oligarchs’ who oppose measures designed to help ordinary people.

The row centres on a fundamental disagreement over what Spain needs most: more homes, as Bezos and celebrity chef José Andrés argue, or stronger government intervention to make existing housing affordable. It comes as the country faces mounting public anger over rents, evictions and a shortage of affordable properties. 

How did the row between Sánchez and Bezos start?

The dispute began after José Andrés, the Spanish-American chef and founder of the World Central Kitchen charity, criticised the government’s response to Spain’s housing crisis in a post on X on October 2. Andrés argued that politicians were announcing measures without addressing the underlying shortage of homes. He called for more construction, greater availability of land, faster planning permissions and increased investment in both public and private housing.

He also warned that subsidising people who need homes without increasing supply could push prices higher, while regulating the existing rental market would not create additional properties. Bezos publicly endorsed the chef’s argument on 3 October, writing: “Diagnosis and prescription 100% correct. And not just in Spain.” Airbnb chief executive Brian Chesky also backed the call for more construction, writing: “Well said. Build more housing. Everywhere.” 

Sánchez hits back at ‘oligarchs’

Sánchez responded to the criticism in an interview with Spanish news outlet El Diario published on 9 October. He questioned why wealthy business figures were weighing in against government housing measures, saying: “I wonder why these oligarchs position themselves against debates that are far removed from them.”

The prime minister also used sarcasm to challenge Andrés’s argument that Spain simply needs to build more homes. Referring to the chef’s comments, he said: “Allow me the sarcasm: we hadn’t thought of that.” Sánchez has argued that increasing construction alone will not solve the problem if housing remains unaffordable for people on ordinary wages. He wants the state to intervene more firmly in the market, including measures to protect tenants and improve access to affordable rents and home ownership. 

Housing crisis intensifies after eviction tragedy

The argument comes amid growing anger over Spain’s housing shortage, which has become a major political issue. The eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal from her Madrid home on September 23 sparked protests and a camp in the capital’s Puerta del Sol. Known as Maricarmen, she died in hospital on October 7 after being admitted with severe anxiety and exhaustion. No cause of death was announced.

Her case became a focus for campaigners demanding stronger protection for tenants and urgent action on housing affordability. Parliament’s rejection of government housing decrees last week intensified the dispute, with opposition parties and Junts per Catalunya voting against the measures. 

What does Sánchez want to change?

The government has proposed measures intended to make renting and buying a home more accessible, including tax relief for tenants paying rent and incentives for small landlords offering affordable rents. Other proposals include financial support for first-time buyers and measures to encourage more homes to be built. Sánchez has acknowledged that the measures alone will not resolve the crisis, saying Spain must continue building hundreds of thousands of additional homes, particularly public and affordable housing. 

The disagreement with Bezos reflects two different approaches to the same problem: whether increasing supply should take priority or whether the state must also intervene to protect people priced out of the market. For renters facing rising costs, first-time buyers struggling to save a deposit and families worried about losing their homes, the question is whether either approach can deliver affordable housing quickly enough.