Spain’s snap general election triggered by housing crisis and protests

Consensus Summary

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called a snap general election for 29 November, months ahead of schedule, after rightwing parties blocked emergency housing measures in Congress. The decision follows widespread protests over soaring rents and evictions, including the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home after more than 70 years of residence. Sánchez framed the election as a choice between his progressive government and a far-right coalition led by the People’s Party (PP) and Vox, which oppose his housing reforms. The election marks Spain’s fifth general election in 10 years, reflecting political instability under Sánchez’s minority coalition government since 2018.

The housing crisis has deepened over the past decade, with average rental prices nearly doubling to 15.10 euros per square metre in August, according to ABC. Spain faces a shortage of 700,000 homes, with social housing comprising less than 2% of the stock, while protests have erupted in major cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Palma de Mallorca. The eviction of Abascal, whose rent was demanded to increase by 230%, triggered mass demonstrations, with organisers claiming 500,000 protesters and authorities reporting 70,000. The government’s proposed measures, including a ban on evictions until 2030, were rejected by the PP and Vox, who argue construction—not regulation—is the solution.

Sánchez’s address to the nation highlighted his government’s record on social and environmental issues while acknowledging mistakes, including corruption allegations against his family. His brother, David Sánchez, was banned from public office for nine years in July this year, and his wife, Begoña Gómez, faces trial after a two-year investigation. The opposition PP, led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, welcomed the snap election, framing it as a chance to ‘defeat Sánchez and what he represents,’ while Vox’s Santiago Abascal emphasised ‘remigration’ and opposition to housing policies. Both parties have criticised Sánchez’s handling of the Ceuta migration crisis, where about 70,000 people crossed into Spain from Morocco in 48 hours.

While both ABC and the Guardian agree on the core events—such as the election date, Abascal’s eviction, and the housing crisis—they differ in emphasis. ABC focuses on economic figures, including the 15.10 euros per square metre rental cost and the government’s failure to pass a budget since 2023, while the Guardian highlights Sánchez’s political framing and the corruption scandals involving his family. The Guardian also references the 2011 indignados movement as a comparison to current protests, whereas ABC does not. Both outlets note the PP’s lead in polls, with Vox gaining support, but the Guardian provides more detail on Sánchez’s internal struggles, including legislative gridlock and coalition fragmentation.

The unresolved question is whether Sánchez can mobilise leftwing voters around the housing crisis, given the PP’s lead in polls (32-34%) over his Socialists (26-27%). Vox’s potential entry into government would mark the first time a far-right party has held power in Spain since the end of Franco’s dictatorship in 1975. The election also brings forward a major European vote, originally scheduled for 2027, amid growing populist and conservative gains across the continent. Sánchez’s gamble hinges on whether Spaniards will prioritise housing justice over economic management, with the outcome likely to shape Spain’s political trajectory for years to come.