Spanish Prime Minister Announces Dissolution of Parliament and Early Elections

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Monday the dissolution of parliament and the calling of early general elections for November 29, following the lower house’s rejection of two government decrees addressing the housing crisis.

In a televised address, Sánchez stated that “the time has come for Spaniards to decide what future they want,” urging voters to shape the country’s destiny in the upcoming elections. He emphasized that his government requires renewed and expanded public support to advance its political agenda.

The decision to call for early elections came after the Congress of Deputies rejected, on Friday, two legislative decrees proposed by the government to tackle the housing crisis, despite last-minute negotiations with several political parties to secure the necessary votes for their passage.

Over the weekend, Sánchez held consultations with members of his cabinet, prominent leaders of the Socialist Party, and key political figures to discuss the implications of the parliamentary defeat and explore options for the next government.

The government’s package of measures aimed at addressing the housing crisis included provisions to protect tenants and vulnerable groups facing eviction, as well as to stabilize certain rental agreements.

The early elections are being held ahead of the originally scheduled end of the current legislative term. Sánchez set November 29 as the voting date, approximately nine months earlier than the term’s expiration date.