Spain PM Sánchez Calls Snap Election After Housing Protests Defeat

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election following the defeat of his housing crisis measures in parliament on Friday. The measures, which were drafted in response to nationwide protests sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman unable to pay a steep rent increase, failed to gain parliamentary approval. Sánchez, who has been in office since 2018, had not been due to face voters until summer 2027. The decision to call an early election comes amid growing public discontent over housing affordability and evictions. The protests, which erupted after the elderly woman's eviction, highlighted the broader housing crisis in Spain. Sánchez's government had attempted to address the issue with a series of measures, but their rejection in parliament has prompted him to seek a renewed mandate. This snap election will be a crucial test for Sánchez and his party, as they aim to strengthen their position and continue implementing policies to tackle the housing crisis. The outcome could have significant implications for Spain's political landscape and its approach to social welfare and housing rights.