Spanish Prime Minister calls early elections after pressure over housing crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced this morning that early elections will be held in the country on November 29.

Regular elections were scheduled to take place in the summer of 2027.

This move comes after a series of measures proposed by Sánchez’s government to resolve the housing crisis failed to gain support in the Spanish parliament on Friday.

The government prepared these measures following widespread protests across the country, sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home because she was unable to pay a significant rent increase, reports the BBC.

Announcing the early elections today, Sánchez said it is necessary to “renew broader popular support” for the government and that Spain must mobilize and ensure that parliament provides the country with a “much broader progressive majority.”

At the beginning of his address, the Prime Minister praised the work of the ruling coalition, saying that Spain has faced several crises in recent years, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and multiple crises in the Middle East.

He said that the coalition government has achieved several successes, including growing the economy despite efforts to “boycott” its progress.

“Spain has become a global example for peace, feminism, and prosperity,” said Sánchez.

In the parliamentary vote on government measures on Friday, right-wing opposition parties joined forces to overturn two decrees proposed by the government aimed at reducing speculation in real estate.

Sánchez (54), who has been Spanish Prime Minister since 2018, is one of the longest-serving European leaders.