Spain PM Calls Snap Election After Housing Bill Parliamentary Defeat
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a snap general election set for 29 November after his government's housing legislation was narrowly defeated in parliament on Friday. The bill had sought to protect tenants from eviction, improve rental contract conditions and restrict residential property purchases by investors. Parties on the right voted against the measures, confirming that Sánchez's left-wing coalition no longer held a parliamentary majority. The election announcement followed days of nationwide protests over housing affordability.
The defeated housing package was part of a broader effort by Sánchez's Socialist Party (PSOE) to address soaring rental costs across Spain. The parliamentary loss came as the PSOE faced separate corruption allegations involving former senior party figures Santos Cerdán and José Luis Ábalos. Former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero also faces accusations of financial benefit from a government airline bailout — allegations he has denied. Sánchez's wife Begońa Gómez is separately due to stand trial on allegations of misuse of funds and influence peddling, which both she and Sánchez deny.
On Monday Sánchez appealed directly to left-leaning voters, calling on them to "mobilise and ensure that parliament gives us a much bigger, progressive majority with which to defeat the elites, conquer social rights and keep transforming Spain." Conservative People's Party (PP) and far-right Vox representatives have defended their votes against the housing bill, framing the measures as government overreach into private property. About 50 marches took place across Spanish cities on Saturday demanding stronger tenant protections. The government has also faced pressure over its management of a sudden influx of more than 70,000 migrants to the North African exclave of Ceuta in July.
Spain's general election is scheduled for 29 November, giving political parties roughly eight weeks to campaign. The housing issue is expected to remain central to the campaign as rental costs in major cities including Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona have risen sharply in recent years. Sánchez previously indicated he intended to govern until next summer before the legislative defeat forced an earlier timeline. The outcome will determine whether a left-wing or right-wing coalition can secure a working parliamentary majority.