Spain’s Prime Minister calls early election after housing crisis defeat
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for a snap election on November 29 following the parliamentary defeat of his housing relief measures. The move comes amid widespread protests over rising housing costs and evictions.
Why it matters
The political instability in Spain reflects broader European challenges regarding housing affordability and the struggle of minority governments to pass social legislation.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday (October 5, 2026) called a snap election for November 29, after parliament rejected housing relief measures proposed by his minority government.
The defeat on Friday (October 2) was just the latest political setback for the Socialist premier, one of the few European prime ministers from the left still in power.
“To do more, we need to renew and broaden the support of the people,” Mr. Sanchez, in office since 2018, said in a televised address, adding his aim was “to secure a much broader, progressive majority in parliament”.
The next general election was due by August 2027.
Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Madrid and other cities in Spain on Saturday (October 3) to demand affordable housing.
Also covering this story
8 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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