Sánchez dissolves Parliament for early elections

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on October 5 that he would dissolve the current legislature and call for general elections on November 29, a move that comes nearly five years after he first took office.

Housing bills rejected by Congress

The decision followed the rejection of two housing-related bills by the Congress of Deputies. These bills aimed to tackle Spain's severe housing crisis, which has been worsened by a shortage of available homes, particularly social housing, which makes up only 1.5 to 1.7% of the total stock, far below the European Union average of 6 to 7%.

Symbolic case of Maricarmen Abascal

The housing crisis has been highlighted by the case of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman threatened with eviction in Madrid. Her situation has become a symbol of the broader issue, with public protests in cities like Madrid and Barcelona drawing attention to the crisis.

Criticism of proposed housing measures

The government's proposed measures, including rent controls and temporary eviction protections, faced criticism for not adequately addressing the shortage of available housing. The PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) government, led by Sánchez, relies on support from the Sumar party and regional parties like Junts, which opposed the bills over concerns they might reduce the rental supply.

Mixed reactions to dissolution

The Popular Party (PP), led by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, has long supported early elections but accused Sánchez of using the housing crisis as a political pretext. Despite this, the socialist government points to economic achievements, including a significant increase in the minimum wage and a drop in the unemployment rate.

Strategic timing for elections

Sánchez's decision to move the elections to November 29 may be a strategic move to avoid a potential conservative wave in Europe. By calling for elections now, he aims to frame the housing crisis as a central issue for voters, using it as a campaign argument.