Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calls for snap election on November 29

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that he will call a snap general election for November 29. The decision follows a significant legislative defeat in parliament, where opposition parties joined forces to reject two emergency decrees proposed by the government. These measures were intended to address the country's growing housing crisis, specifically targeting the reduction of evictions and real estate speculation.

The move comes amid increasing public pressure regarding housing affordability in Spain. Recent weeks have seen protests erupt in cities across the country, fueled by public outrage following the televised eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid last month. The government’s inability to pass its proposed relief measures in the face of parliamentary opposition served as the immediate catalyst for the decision to dissolve the legislature.

In a televised address, Sanchez stated that the government needs to renew and broaden its support from the public to effectively implement its agenda. He expressed his intention to secure a more substantial, progressive majority in parliament to move forward with his policy goals. Sanchez, who has served as prime minister since 2018, is currently one of the longest-standing leaders in Europe.

The decision to move the election forward from its originally scheduled date next year is considered a high-stakes political maneuver. While Sanchez has maintained a prominent international profile on issues such as Palestinian statehood and the regulation of technology companies, his administration has faced domestic challenges, including various scandals and political setbacks.

Current opinion polls indicate that the Socialist Party is trailing, making the upcoming election a risky prospect for the incumbent. As the country prepares for the November 29 vote, the focus remains on whether the government can regain the parliamentary mandate it seeks to address the housing concerns that have dominated the national conversation.