Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday called for an early general election to be held on November 29, seeking to strengthen his political mandate after his divided government suffered a series of legislative setbacks.
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Sanchez made the announcement in a televised address, saying Spain needed to “renew the support of the people.” He said his government needed to mobilize voters and secure a stronger progressive majority in parliament that would allow it to overcome entrenched interests, advance social reforms and continue Spain’s transformation.
The move follows the parliament’s rejection last week of key government housing measures, amid widespread protests over the country’s housing crisis.
Sanchez acknowledged that his government had made mistakes and failed to fulfill some of its electoral promises, noting growing dissatisfaction among parts of his political base.
The decision to call an early election comes as Sanchez’s Socialist Workers’ Party trails in opinion polls. Surveys indicate that a coalition led by the conservative People’s Party, potentially backed by the Vox party, could emerge as a possible governing alternative.
Sanchez has faced increasing difficulties in managing his parliamentary coalition, with growing divisions among his partners limiting the legislation his government has been able to pass during its third term. His government has also failed to approve a new national budget since 2023, despite Spain’s economy continuing to rank among the stronger performers in the developed world.
Sanchez first became prime minister after leading a political move that ousted center-right Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. He subsequently remained in power through parliamentary alliances that included parties ranging from the left to pro-independence groups, despite lacking enough seats to form a majority government.
He won a second four-year term in 2023 after securing support from a coalition of parliamentary parties in exchange for a pledge to grant an amnesty to Catalan pro-independence leaders, a move that sparked widespread political controversy.
Sanchez’s party came under additional pressure over the past year following corruption allegations involving senior Socialist figures. Support for the party has ranged between 26% and 31% during his time in office.
His tenure has also been associated with labor-market reforms that helped reduce unemployment to its lowest level in nearly two decades. Sanchez has defended immigration as an important contributor to Spain’s economic growth and a means of addressing labor shortages in key sectors, including construction, agriculture and hospitality, while generating revenue to support the country’s welfare system.
