Spain’s PM calls election amid pressure over housing
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced an early election after his government suffered a bruising legislative defeat on emergency measures related to the country’s housing crisis.
The vote will be held November 29.
In recent weeks, Spaniards have demanded solutions from the government over housing affordability, holding protests in cities across the country after public outrage grew over the televised eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid in September.
Right-wing opposition parties joined forced to scuttle two emergency decrees in parliament that included measures to reduce evictions and real estate speculation.
The setback sparked wide speculation that Sanchez could consider moving up a national election from 2027.
In a televised address on Monday, Sanchez argued that a broader progressive coalition in parliament would allow Spaniards to tackle the biggest issues facing the country.
“The time has come, therefore, for the Spanish people to decide what future you want for yourselves and for your country,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez, 54, has been Spain’s prime minister since 2018, making him one of Europe’s longest-standing leaders.
AP