Sergi Forcada Freixas
Pedro Sánchez says that, to push reforms through, “we need the support of the people” and “a broader progressive majority” that can “overcome the resistance of the elites”.
As we’ve reported, the election comes after his government failed to secure enough support in Congress last week for a package of measures aimed at tackling the country’s housing crisis.
Sánchez’s minority government was unable to win backing from either its allies, or opposition parties, meaning the proposals – which included a ban on evictions – were voted down.
Sánchez has been Spain’s prime minister since June 2018.
Spain was not due to hold a general election until the summer of 2027, at the latest.
The Socialist Party finished second in the last election, in 2023.
Although the conservative People’s Party won the most seats, it fell short of a majority. Sánchez remained in power after striking agreements with left-wing parties and securing support from Catalan and Basque nationalist and pro-independence groups.
Most opinion polls suggest the conservatives are likely to emerge as the largest party in the next election.
However, they would be expected to need the support of the hard-right Vox party to form a government.
