Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will attend an extraordinary session of the House of Representatives to vote on the Government Housing Decree on October 2, 2026 in Madrid.
Javier Soriano | AFP | Getty Images
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday called a snap election for November 29 after parliament rejected measures to quell public anger over the country’s housing crisis.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets over the weekend, leading to clashes with police in some areas.
Public protests and calls for a general strike have grown after an 87-year-old disabled woman was evicted in September from the home she had lived in for 70 years. But public dissatisfaction with the cost of living, stagnant wages and lack of affordable housing options, especially in tourist destinations, has been brewing for years. This is despite Spain’s strong economic growth post-pandemic.
Immigration has also become a growing political flashpoint, with Spain’s government still grappling with the fallout from the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants in the North African enclave of Ceuta in July.
Sánchez has been prime minister since June 2018 and currently heads a minority left-wing coalition formed in November 2023. Mr. Sánchez’s government lacks a parliamentary majority, making it difficult for him to pass major reforms.
During his time in office, Sanchez has criticized the White House’s foreign policy in the Middle East and clashed with US President Donald Trump.
Protesters gather in Madrid city center during a housing rights demonstration in front of Madrid City Hall on October 3, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. They called for a halt to evictions following Maricarmen’s eviction and stronger protection for tenants.
Null Photo | Null Photo | Getty Images
This is breaking news and will be updated soon.
