Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called a snap election in Spain after parliament rejected housing measures proposed by his minority government.
Sanchez announced on Monday that the general election will take place on November 29, bringing forward a vote that had been scheduled for next year.
The announcement follows days of protests over Spain’s housing crisis and the government’s latest defeat in parliament, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.
Sanchez calls election after parliamentary defeat
Sanchez said his government needed to seek renewed support from voters.
“We need to renew people’s support,” he said during a televised address.
He called for a larger parliamentary majority that could pass further social reforms.
Sanchez also acknowledged dissatisfaction among some of his previous supporters. He said his government had made mistakes and had not fulfilled all its earlier promises.
The decision came after parliament rejected two housing measures on Friday.
Housing crisis fuels protests
Housing has become a major source of public anger in Spain.
Tens of thousands of people have taken part in demonstrations calling for action on rents, housing costs and evictions.
The Spanish government said more than 70,000 people joined a housing protest in Madrid on Saturday.
Anger had already increased following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her longtime Madrid home.
According to the supplied report, an international investment fund had bought her building and increased the rent.
The case became a focus of wider concerns about housing affordability.
Spain heads to polls on November 29
The snap election in Spain will determine the makeup of the country’s next parliament and government.
Sanchez has governed through alliances with several parties because his Socialist Party has not held an outright parliamentary majority.
His current government has faced repeated difficulties passing legislation through parliament.
The November election will therefore take place against a backdrop of housing concerns, political divisions and debate over the government’s record.
Al Jazeera reported that recent opinion polls have shown strong support for the conservative People’s Party and the far-right Vox party.
However, polling does not determine the election result, and voters will decide the next government on November 29.
Housing set to remain major election issue
Housing is likely to remain a central subject during the campaign.
The protests have increased pressure on political parties to explain how they would address rents, evictions and access to affordable homes.
For Sanchez, the decision to call an early vote means those questions will now move directly into an election campaign.
Spain had not been due to hold its next general election until 2027.