Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called an early general election following the defeat of his government’s housing reform bill, marking another political setback for his minority administration.
Sanchez said in a televised address that his government needed a renewed mandate and broader public support to advance its agenda. He said his objective was to secure a stronger progressive majority in parliament.
The next general election had been due by August 2027. The announcement came after tens of thousands of people took part in demonstrations in Madrid and other Spanish cities, calling for measures to address rising housing costs and improve access to affordable homes.
The government’s proposed housing package, which included automatic extensions of rental contracts and restrictions on evictions involving vulnerable tenants, was rejected by opposition parties in parliament.
The defeat added to pressure on Sanchez’s minority coalition and highlighted the challenges it faces in securing parliamentary support for legislation.
The housing protests were intensified by the recent eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her long-time Madrid home. Hundreds of demonstrators have also maintained a tent camp in central Madrid for more than a week, demanding stronger housing protections.
Sara Prieto Aparicio, a 19-year-old student participating in the protest, said she supported the decision to call an early election, arguing that the demonstrations had generated significant public mobilisation.
Alicia del Rio, a spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants’ Union, said the demonstrations would continue and renewed calls for a general strike.
Recent opinion polls have generally placed the opposition conservative Popular Party ahead of Sanchez’s Socialist Party. However, the PP would likely need support from the far-right Vox party to secure a parliamentary majority.
Federico Santi, a Europe analyst at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said making housing a central issue in the election campaign could encourage left-leaning voters to turn out.
He also said an early election could help the Socialists contain further losses in support amid inflation, legislative deadlock and corruption-related controversies.
Housing has emerged as a major political issue in Spain as demand continues to outpace available supply, driving concerns over affordability and access to homes.
