Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced snap general elections for Sunday, November 29, dissolving Parliament after the Congress of Deputies rejected his government’s key housing decrees. Sánchez stated his intention to secure a wider progressive majority to challenge political elites and right-wing opponents.
Why Did Pedro Sánchez Call Snap Elections in Spain?
The political crisis in Madrid escalated after the Congress on October 3 voted down two major housing decrees submitted by the Socialist administration. The rejected legislation aimed to suspend evictions for vulnerable individuals until 2030, penalize real estate funds, and mandate 12-month compensation for tenants if landlords refuse to renew rental contracts. The specific measures were contained in Real Decreto-ley 26/2026, regarding the social function of housing and accessible housing supply, and 27/2026, concerning the stability of first-home rental contracts.
Following the parliamentary defeat and subsequent nationwide housing protests, Sánchez consulted with ministers and Socialist Party (PSOE) leaders over the weekend. A majority within the PSOE pushed for an immediate vote, viewing the mobilizations as a political opportunity to turn a parliamentary loss into an electoral campaign. The party noted that following the “no” vote from Junts—the right-wing Catalanist force led by Carles Puigdemont—it would be difficult to sustain a legislative year without a new budget or a supportive majority.
How Do Housing Protests and the Maricarmen Case Fuel the Political Crisis?
Mass demonstrations erupted across Spanish cities, including Madrid. Demonstrators carried keys to symbolize access to housing and protested against soaring rental costs. Protesters accused political parties of being held hostage by real estate rent interests, following a march that drew approximately 25,000 people to Madrid on September 26. This led to a continuous vigil at Puerta del Sol lasting seven nights, where one cardboard sign asked, “And now who the f… do I vote for?”.
Tensions peaked in central Madrid as dozens of far-right group members gathered, performing Nazi salutes and attempting to reach the housing rights activists’ camp at Puerta del Sol. Some protesters tried to break security cordons by knocking over and throwing protective barriers and other objects at police.
Public outrage was further ignited by the eviction of Maricarmen, who was removed from her Madrid apartment after 71 years of residency. Her landlord, an investment fund that acquired the property in 2018, had raised her rent by 250%.
What Do Opinion Polls Show Ahead of the November 29 Vote?
Current polling data indicates a difficult path for the incumbent Socialist Party. According to surveys published by El País, the conservative Partido Popular (PP) leads at 32.7%, followed by the PSOE at 26.4%, and Vox at 18.1%.
Conservative leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo welcomed the election announcement, stating that citizens would finally decide the country’s direction. Feijóo, whose party was the most voted in 2023 but failed to form a government because only far-right Vox was available for an alliance, stated, “Finally Spain will say what it thinks, finally the Spaniards will decide.”
What Scandals and Additional Pressures Face the Incumbent Government?
Beyond housing legislation, the Socialist administration faced criticism over its management of a migration surge in Ceuta at the end of July, when thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco.
Prime Minister Sánchez and members of his party faced ongoing scrutiny regarding family and political scandals, including investigations involving his wife, Begoña Gómez, and former Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Gómez is under investigation for embezzlement of public funds and influence peddling. Zapatero faces probes for money laundering of 53 million euros moved from a bankrupt airline to companies owned by his daughters and wife, as well as illicit influence peddling and criminal association. Sánchez's brother, David, was convicted for using the family name to win a public competition tailored for him.
Despite these pressures, Sánchez defended his government’s economic and social record during his televised address from the Moncloa Palace. He described the election as a choice between “corruption and decency, between difficulty and prosperity.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Spanish Snap Elections
When will Spaniards go to the polls?
Citizens will vote on Sunday, November 29, moving the election up from its originally scheduled date in July 2027.
Which political parties defeated the housing decrees in Congress?
The Partido Popular, Vox, and Junts per Catalunya voted against the government’s housing measures on October 3.
What were the main measures included in the rejected housing decrees?
The decrees proposed suspending evictions for vulnerable populations until 2030, placing restrictions on real estate investment funds, and requiring a 12-month tenant payout if landlords decline contract renewals.
Voters will cast their ballots across Spain on Sunday, November 29, to determine the composition of the new Parliament.
Keep reading