Spain’s PM calls early election for November 29 amid housing crisis
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday called an early general election for November 29 after parliament rejected two government housing measures amid growing protests over the country’s housing crisis.
Speaking at his official residence in Madrid, Sanchez said he would convene his cabinet later on Monday to begin the process of calling the election.
He acknowledged that his government had made mistakes and failed to achieve all its goals, saying further progress required a stronger parliamentary majority.
The announcement followed Friday’s defeat of two housing decrees introduced in response to protests sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home.
The Catalan separatist party Junts joined the conservative Popular Party and far-right Vox in voting against both measures, despite negotiations with the government over parts of the proposals.
Thousands of people took to the streets across Spain over the weekend to demand action on housing, while protesters continued to camp in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol.
Sanchez said housing, inequality and public services remained major challenges and urged voters to give his coalition renewed support to continue its reforms.
He framed the election as a choice between continuing progressive reforms and joining what he described as a far-right wave that would roll back rights.
He called for a broader progressive majority and said Spain should remain a model of openness and social justice.
Defending his government’s record, Sanchez pointed to economic growth, job creation, reduced inequality, expanded scholarships and leave entitlements, increased investment in education and healthcare, and industrial modernisation.
He also highlighted the government’s ecological transition and Spain’s international positions, including support for Ukraine, the European Union and the United Nations.
Sanchez described Spain as a “global reference point for peace, feminism and prosperity” and urged voters to ensure it remained “a bastion of openness and social justice.”
Spain last held a general election in 2023, when Sanchez’s Socialist Party finished second. He subsequently formed a coalition government with the left-wing Sumar alliance and secured parliamentary backing from several smaller parties, including Junts.
The next general election had been due to be held no later than August 22, 2027.