A severe political crisis is shaking Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced today (Monday) the dissolution of parliament and the scheduling of early general elections for November 29, after his minority government suffered a significant parliamentary defeat and effectively lost its ability to govern. The decision comes just days after two key emergency decrees on housing—considered central pillars of the government’s policy—were rejected in a congressional vote.
The parliamentary defeat occurred after the Catalan party “Junts”—previously considered a partner essential to the government’s survival—voted against the legislation alongside the People’s Party (PP) and VOX. The decrees included a series of measures aimed at strengthening tenants’ rights, curbing evictions, and addressing the country’s acute housing crisis; however, opponents argued that the measures could actually exacerbate the housing shortage and drive up prices.
BREAKING: Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez announces a snap election for November 29.
https://t.co/gd3ntbMkGR— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 5, 2026
The political crisis intensified amid a widespread wave of protests that swept across Spain over the weekend. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in dozens of cities demanding solutions to the housing crisis, after the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home in Madrid became a symbol of public outrage. Clashes with police were reported in several locations, with protesters calling on the government to take more decisive measures to protect tenants.
Sánchez, who has served as Prime Minister since 2018 and led a minority government in recent years, has previously managed to survive repeated political crises; this time, however, he chose to put the decision back in the hands of the public. In his announcement, he stated that following the loss of his parliamentary majority, the right course of action was to allow voters to determine the composition of the next government.
The election campaign is expected to be one of the most heated in recent years. Recent polls indicate a strengthening of the right-wing bloc—led by the People’s Party (PP) and VOX—which could lead to a change of government if the trend continues. Conversely, the ruling party hopes that the housing crisis and public protests will help re-mobilize centrist and left-wing voters ahead of the vote in late November.