Spanish Prime Minister Calls Early Election Amid Housing Crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced an early general election for November 29, following parliamentary defeats on key legislation aimed at addressing the nation's housing crisis. The announcement comes after weeks of mounting pressure and nationwide protests sparked by high-profile evictions and rising rents.

In a televised address, Sánchez stated his need for "a broader progressive majority" to overcome resistance to reforms, acknowledging that his minority government had faced difficulties and had "made mistakes." Housing has been a focal point of public discontent, amplified by the recent eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her Madrid home after a significant rent increase, an incident that led to widespread public outcry and demonstrations.

Sánchez's coalition government, comprising his Socialist party and the Sumar alliance, has struggled to pass legislation without a clear majority in parliament. The next general election was not constitutionally due until mid-2027.

The proposed housing measures included suspending evictions for vulnerable tenants until 2030, extending rental leases, increasing taxes on tourist apartments, and restricting purchases by investment funds. A particularly contentious element was the automatic renewal of rental contracts, a key demand from tenant organizations.

Opposition parties, such as the conservative People's Party, argued that government intervention in the housing market would be counterproductive, potentially reducing rental supply and increasing prices. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the People's Party, welcomed the election announcement, framing it as an opportunity for Spaniards to choose between "decline or change."

Sánchez has been prime minister since June 2018. While his Socialist party finished second in the 2023 general election, he managed to form a government through agreements with smaller parties, including Catalan and Basque nationalist groups. Recent polling suggests the People's Party is likely to be the largest party in a future election, potentially requiring the support of the far-right Vox party to form a government.

Beyond housing, Sánchez's leadership has been impacted by several corruption allegations. In April, his wife, Begoña Gómez, was charged in an investigation into alleged influence peddling. Additionally, police raided the Socialist party headquarters in May as part of a probe into a misinformation campaign, and Sánchez's former transport minister was convicted in a corruption network related to mask sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prime minister also faced scrutiny over his handling of a migration crisis in Ceuta.