Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap general election for November 29 after Parliament rejected housing relief measures proposed by his minority government, setting up a vote in just 54 days that could bring the far right into central government for the first time since the Franco era.
Sánchez made the announcement on Monday in a televised address from Moncloa. "We need to renew people's support," he said, cutting short a legislature he had intended to run until 2027.
Housing crisis at boiling point
The trigger was Parliament's rejection last Friday of two housing decrees from his government, including strengthened protections against evictions and restrictions on speculative home purchases. The measures were voted down by an alliance of the conservative Popular Party, the far-right Vox and the Catalan separatist party Junts.
The vote followed weeks of mounting anger over housing affordability. The televised eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid last month sparked protests across Spain, and the government said more than 70,000 people marched in the capital on Saturday demanding action. According to real estate website Idealista, average rents in Spain have nearly doubled over the past decade, while asking prices for homes have risen by about 90%.
A risky gamble
In his address, Sánchez acknowledged mistakes and falling short of previous promises. "We need to mobilise and win a much larger progressive majority in Parliament, one that will allow us to overcome vested interests, deliver new social advances and continue transforming Spain," he said. "I also know that part of that social majority is dissatisfied today."
But polls suggest the gamble may backfire: a conservative coalition led by the People's Party with Vox's support is seen as the most likely outcome. If they win, it would be the first time since the death of dictator Francisco Franco that a far-right party enters central government — and would end one of Europe's last left-leaning governments.
PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo welcomed the decision. "The question I put to voters is whether they want four more years of what we've been living through, or whether they want to give change a chance," he said in a televised address.
Sánchez, who has never commanded a parliamentary majority, has stitched together a series of fragile coalitions — from the far left to the separatist right — to stay in power for three successive terms over eight years.
Sources: Al Jazeera: Spain's Pedro Sanchez announces snap election amid housing crisis
Sánchez made the announcement on Monday in a televised address from Moncloa. "We need to renew people's support," he said, cutting short a legislature he had intended to run until 2027.
Housing crisis at boiling point
The trigger was Parliament's rejection last Friday of two housing decrees from his government, including strengthened protections against evictions and restrictions on speculative home purchases. The measures were voted down by an alliance of the conservative Popular Party, the far-right Vox and the Catalan separatist party Junts.
The vote followed weeks of mounting anger over housing affordability. The televised eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid last month sparked protests across Spain, and the government said more than 70,000 people marched in the capital on Saturday demanding action. According to real estate website Idealista, average rents in Spain have nearly doubled over the past decade, while asking prices for homes have risen by about 90%.
A risky gamble
In his address, Sánchez acknowledged mistakes and falling short of previous promises. "We need to mobilise and win a much larger progressive majority in Parliament, one that will allow us to overcome vested interests, deliver new social advances and continue transforming Spain," he said. "I also know that part of that social majority is dissatisfied today."
But polls suggest the gamble may backfire: a conservative coalition led by the People's Party with Vox's support is seen as the most likely outcome. If they win, it would be the first time since the death of dictator Francisco Franco that a far-right party enters central government — and would end one of Europe's last left-leaning governments.
PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo welcomed the decision. "The question I put to voters is whether they want four more years of what we've been living through, or whether they want to give change a chance," he said in a televised address.
Sánchez, who has never commanded a parliamentary majority, has stitched together a series of fragile coalitions — from the far left to the separatist right — to stay in power for three successive terms over eight years.
Sources: Al Jazeera: Spain's Pedro Sanchez announces snap election amid housing crisis
