Pedro Sanchez calls snap election for November 29 after housing protests

Pedro Sanchez: Pedro Sanchez serves as Spain's Prime Minister and leads the Socialist Party, having governed through a series of fragile coalitions since taking office. He announced the snap election for November 29 to seek a stronger parliamentary majority after housing decrees failed. Sanchez positioned the vote as an opportunity to address the housing crisis and counter rising far-right influence. Santiago Abascal: Santiago Abascal leads the far-right Vox party, which opposes immigration and seeks greater influence in national governance. He noted that the election outcome remains unpredictable despite favorable polling for the right-wing bloc. Abascal's party could enter central government for the first time since Spain's return to democracy. Alberto Nuñez Feijoo: Alberto Nuñez Feijoo leads Spain's main opposition People's Party and has pledged to nearly double annual homebuilding if his party takes power. He criticized the current government's handling of housing as a major failure after eight years in office. Feijoo's party is polling strongly ahead of the snap election alongside potential allies. • Parliament rejected two government housing decrees addressing evictions, rents, tourist rentals, and speculative property purchases. • Protests spread across Spain after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid intensified anger over unaffordable housing. • Tens of thousands demonstrated in Madrid and other cities, with some protesters calling for a general strike. • Sánchez’s Socialist-led minority government has struggled to pass legislation in a fragmented parliament. • The election will occur earlier than the previously expected 2027 vote and tests whether housing concerns improve Sánchez’s electoral position. • Opposition parties accused Sánchez of using the housing crisis for electoral advantage.