I'm sure that's at the high end of the market. And while more outsiders likely bought homes in previous years, I doubt the percentage changed much. I believe the high point saw nearly 800,000 homes sold in a single year, so something like 37,000 could be bought by non-EU residents and the percentage would remain more or less the same.

I do agree with you that it's an attempt to divert attention. Seems like whenever something like this happens it's to try and get the local populous to look away from the actual governmental flaws.