Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for early parliamentary elections on November 29 after his minority government failed to pass key legislation aimed at curbing the national housing crisis. The decision follows a significant parliamentary defeat regarding two proposals designed to limit speculative real estate transactions and protect vulnerable tenants from eviction until 2030.
Sánchez argued in an address to the nation that forming a broader progressive coalition is necessary to effectively resolve the country’s most pressing issues. He framed the upcoming vote as a choice between a “far-right wave” that retreats from progress and a Spain that remains a “bastion of openness, social justice and responsible action towards the environment.”
Rising Rents Spark Widespread Protests in Barcelona
The call for snap elections comes amid widespread protests over rising rents and housing accessibility. In Barcelona, demonstrations saw attendance estimates ranging from 20,000 people according to authorities to 120,000 according to organizers. Protesters demanded more housing, using the slogan: “It makes no sense: people without homes and homes without people.”
Right-Wing Opposition Leads Current Polling
The government’s legislative failure was driven by a lack of a parliamentary majority.
Current polling published by The Country suggests the right-wing opposition may take power. Data from October shows:
- People’s Party (PP): 31.6%
- Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE): 27.4%
- Vox: 18.4%
- Sumar alliance: 5.6%
- We can: 2.7%
- OINTMENT: 2%
Feijóo, who has led the PP since April 2022, is viewed as a pragmatic and moderate leader after winning four regional elections in Galicia.
Migration and Corruption Scandals
Beyond housing, the campaign is expected to focus on immigration and corruption. Sánchez has faced criticism following a crisis in the North African enclave of Ceuta, where tens of thousands of Moroccan migrants broke through in late July. The PP and Vox have accused the Prime Minister of failing to control the border, while a humanitarian crisis persists in the enclave two months later.
The administration has also been hit by corruption scandals involving socialist leaders, the Prime Minister's wife, and his brother. While Sánchez has denied any wrongdoing, claiming these are politically motivated campaigns, opposition parties intend to use these scandals to diminish public trust in his leadership.
International Standing
Internationally, the 54-year-old Sánchez is regarded as a leading progressive leader for his support of legal migration, his diplomatic efforts for Palestinians, and his criticism of the U.S. and Israel regarding the war against Iran.
Sánchez has served as Prime Minister since 2018.
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