Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap general election for Nov. 29 as his government faces growing public frustration over housing and continued divisions in parliament.
Sánchez announced the election after lawmakers rejected key housing measures proposed by his government, a setback that came amid demonstrations demanding stronger action on soaring housing costs and evictions.
In a televised address, Sánchez said his government needed a renewed mandate from voters and acknowledged that it had fallen short on some of its previous commitments.
The decision sends Spain to the polls at a challenging moment for Sánchez and his Socialist Party, which has been trailing the conservative People’s Party in recent opinion polling.
Housing has emerged as one of Spain’s most pressing political issues. Sánchez’s government had introduced measures aimed at easing the crisis, but the proposals were defeated in parliament last week. The rejection has fuelled further protests and intensified pressure on the government.
Sánchez has also faced political fallout from corruption allegations involving senior members of his Socialist Party and his wife, Begoña Gómez. Sánchez has maintained that the cases are politically motivated.
The upcoming election could significantly reshape Spain’s political landscape. The conservative People’s Party and the right-wing Vox party are seeking to expand their representation, while Sánchez is attempting to secure enough support for a stronger governing majority.
Sánchez has governed Spain through a series of often-fragile parliamentary alliances. Although he has never secured enough seats to govern with an outright majority, he has remained in office by negotiating agreements with parties spanning the left and regional movements.
Those alliances have become increasingly difficult to maintain during his current term. Spain has also failed to approve a new national budget since 2023, despite the country’s comparatively strong economic performance.
Sánchez first became prime minister in 2018 after a parliamentary vote removed conservative leader Mariano Rajoy from office. He secured another term following the 2023 election after negotiating support from several parties, including Catalan separatists.
That agreement included an amnesty for Catalan independence figures, a controversial measure that generated significant political opposition.
During his years in office, Sánchez has pursued policies on labour reform, immigration and historical memory while also taking prominent positions internationally on Palestinian statehood and multilateralism.
His government has maintained a comparatively welcoming approach to immigration, arguing that foreign workers are important to Spain’s economy and help address labour shortages in industries including construction, agriculture and hospitality.
Sánchez has also resisted calls for Spain to raise defence spending to five per cent of GDP, putting Madrid at odds with U.S. President Donald Trump and some European governments.
With the Nov. 29 election now set, housing affordability, the government’s legislative record, corruption allegations and Spain’s broader political direction are expected to feature prominently in the campaign.
