Spain’s Sánchez calls snap election amid national housing crisis – Europe live

PM says vote will take place on 29 November after parliament rejected two of his government’s emergency relief measures

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election for 29 November, just days after rightwing parties blocked his minority government’s emergency measures on housing amid widespread protests (9:10).

The election will take place on Sunday, 29 November, the earliest possible date procedurally.

In a fierce address, Sánchez framed the election as choice between “regressing” under a “far-right coalition” or “keeping moving forward” with his progressive administration (9:04, 9:09, 9:17).

He said the election will be about who will guide Spain through a period of disruption amid high political tensions, global instability, climate emergency, and uncertainty posed by the rise of AI (9:13).

In a very political conclusion of his speech, Sánchez says the voters will have to decide whether they want the country to “regress or keep moving forward,” as he paints the opposition as “a far-right coalition that offers no proposals,” but only wants to “repeal and curtail the rights and freedoms of the last eight years.”

“I have faith in my fellow citizens because I know you are a brave and compassionate people who rise to meet challenges and are unafraid to be the first, or the only ones, to step up and stand on the right side of history. We will work to earn your trust, to inspire hope, and to win again.”