Spain PM pins hopes on housing crisis to help win snap election
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called an early Spanish election for 29 November, following a parliamentary defeat that showed his left-wing coalition no longer had a majority.
Sánchez had previously said he intended to serve until next summer. But his government faced growing uncertainty, while his wife, Begoña Gómez, is due to stand trial over alleged misuse of funds and influence peddling. Both deny the accusations.
He urged left-leaning voters to back a stronger progressive majority. Housing could help his campaign: around 50 tenant-protection marches took place across Spain on Saturday.
The conservative People’s Party and far-right Vox regularly oppose government proposals. Polls put the Socialists behind the People’s Party, making Sánchez’s path to remaining in office difficult.
The election will test whether housing concerns can broaden support for Sánchez. The vote is scheduled for 29 November.
Key points
- Sánchez called a snap election after his coalition lost its parliamentary majority.
- Tenant-protection marches offer the Socialists a possible campaign opening on housing.
- Polls show the Socialists behind the People’s Party ahead of the 29 November vote.