Spain's Sanchez calls early election amid mounting pressure over housing crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday called an early national election for November 29 after his minority government suffered a major parliamentary setback over emergency measures aimed at addressing the country's housing crisis.

The announcement came as pressure mounted on Sanchez to respond to soaring housing costs and growing concerns over evictions and real estate speculation. Protests have been held in cities across Spain, with public anger intensifying after the televised eviction last month of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid.

Right-wing opposition parties joined forces last week to defeat two emergency decrees that included measures to curb evictions and speculation in the property market, dealing a significant blow to Sanchez's government and fuelling speculation that he would bring forward elections scheduled for next year.

In a televised address, Sanchez said Spaniards should decide whether to give his government a stronger mandate to tackle the country's biggest challenges.

"The time has come, therefore, for the Spanish people to decide what future you want for yourselves and for your country," the 54-year-old prime minister said.

Sanchez has served as prime minister since 2018, making him one of Europe's longest-serving leaders. His government has championed migration and taken strong diplomatic positions on the Palestinian issue, while Spain's economy has been among the faster-growing in the developed world in recent years.

But Sanchez has faced mounting political difficulties at home.

His Socialist Party has been hit by a series of legal cases involving party members as well as his wife and brother, both of whom deny wrongdoing. His government has also faced criticism over a major summer influx of mostly Moroccan migrants into Spain's North African territory of Ceuta, where a humanitarian crisis has persisted.

Sanchez has governed in coalition with the left-wing Sumar party since 2023. However, the minority government relies on several smaller parties to pass legislation, making it difficult for Sanchez to advance key measures through Parliament.

The latest defeat over the housing decrees highlighted those difficulties and raised questions over how long his government could continue to govern effectively.

Sanchez has also developed a reputation as a political survivor, repeatedly overcoming setbacks and electoral challenges that appeared likely to end his political career.

The November election is expected to pit his Socialist Party against the conservative Popular Party, which currently holds the largest number of seats in Parliament and will seek to return to power.

The formal dissolution of Parliament is expected to be approved by the Cabinet, which Sanchez convened for later Monday.