Spanish PM calls early election amid housing protests
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for an early general election on November 29 following the rejection of key housing decrees by parliament. Sanchez aims to secure a stronger mandate to push through his progressive agenda despite trailing in current opinion polls.
Why it matters
The election could lead to a significant shift in Spanish governance, potentially bringing a far-right coalition into power and impacting European political trends.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called an early election for 29 November, in a bid to strengthen his mandate after a fragmented parliament rejected the government's key housing decrees last week amid widespread protests.
"We need to renew people's support," Mr Sanchez said in a televised address.
"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."
The prime minister also acknowledged having made mistakes and falling short of campaign promises.
"I also know that part of that social majority is dissatisfied today," he said.
The defeat in parliament on Friday was another political setback for the Socialist prime minister, which renewed questions over whether his minority government could have survived until the next scheduled general election in 2027.
Also covering this story
9 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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