Spanish Prime Minister Announces Dissolution of Parliament and Calls for Early Elections

Madrid - Afaq News - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on Monday for early elections on November 29, in a speech addressed to the Spanish people.

Close associates of Sanchez, who requested anonymity, told Bloomberg that ministers in the government and other prominent officials in the government and the Socialist Party support holding early elections as the best strategy after a parliamentary loss that harmed the government last week.

They added that Sanchez spent the weekend in meetings with prominent figures.

Speculation about early elections gained momentum on Friday after the parliament rejected two emergency housing bills proposed by the government.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez suffered a significant defeat in regional elections held in the Extremadura region, marking the first electoral test for his Socialist Party.

The minority coalition led by Sanchez has faced difficulties in passing legislation since taking power in 2023, but the recent defeat was particularly impactful as providing affordable housing is a core issue for his supporters.

Sanchez's term ends in July 2027. Government approval ratings have been declining in opinion polls for months, while the conservative People's Party and the far-right Vox party have enough support to form a coalition government.

The parliamentary defeat may give Sanchez and the socialists an opportunity to build an electoral narrative against the right.

Sanchez first took power in 2018 and has not completed any term so far, having called for early elections twice. He has spent 8 years in power dealing with a series of crises.

During his current term, he has not been able to present a single government budget, while corruption issues linked to his party or family have proliferated. During the summer, the illegal arrival of around 80,000 migrants to the Spanish city of Ceuta in North Africa led to a new wave of social discontent.