Sanchez gambles on snap election as housing crisis shakes Spain

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called an early election for November 29, betting his political future on a housing crisis that has brought tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets of Spanish cities. The move comes after a week of mass demonstrations, triggered by the controversial eviction of an elderly woman from her rented home in Madrid.

For Sanchez, this is a high-stakes gamble. His Socialist Party trails in the polls, and an election defeat would end one of Europe's last significant left-leaning governments at a moment when far-right parties are surging across the continent. Yet the man who has defied political gravity for eight years is betting that housing can be the issue that re-energises his base.

Why did Sanchez call a snap election?

The immediate trigger was Friday's parliamentary defeat. Sanchez's housing proposals, which were broadly welcomed when first announced, were struck down by right-wing MPs. With new public protests already being planned, the prime minister chose to go to the country rather than face months of legislative paralysis.

Lorenzo Bernaldo de Quiros, economist and president of consultancy Freemarket Corporate Intelligence, described the election call as a calculated move.

This is a window of opportunity. If he does not call elections fast, those topics will return to centre stage.

The housing crisis has become the defining issue of Sanchez's third term. Soaring rents and a severe shortage of affordable homes have turned what was once a simmering grievance into a full-blown political emergency. For Sanchez, it offers a rare chance to lead a mobilised left and push aside more damaging stories, including corruption allegations within his own party and the migrant crisis in Ceuta.

What do the polls say about the Spanish election?

Opinion polls suggest the most likely outcome is a coalition led by the conservative People's Party (PP) with the support of Vox. That would bring the far-right into central government for the first time since Spain's return to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco.

Sanchez has been here before. He has never won enough votes to form a majority government, yet he has pieced together fragile coalitions spanning the far-left to separatist parties, holding power for three successive terms over eight years. His political obituary has been written many times, and each time he has found a way to survive.

How did Sanchez first come to power?

Sanchez took office in 2018 after orchestrating the ousting of centre-right Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, whose People's Party was mired in major corruption scandals. He won early plaudits for progressive reforms, including the exhumation of Franco from the mausoleum the dictator built for himself outside Madrid, and a labour reform that brought unemployment to its lowest level in almost two decades.

His humanitarian credentials were cemented in June 2018 when he agreed to accept the Aquarius migrant rescue ship and its 629 passengers after Italy and Malta both refused to let the vessel dock. While other European countries have tightened their borders, Sanchez has consistently argued that immigration is essential for sustaining Spanish growth, filling gaps in construction, agriculture and hospitality, and providing revenue for Spain's strained welfare system.

What are the risks for Sanchez?

The risks are considerable. Senior members of Sanchez's own Socialist Party have faced graft allegations over the past year, dragging its approval rating to around 26-31%. His 2023 re-election depended on a controversial amnesty for pro-independence Catalan leaders, a move many voters still remember bitterly as a betrayal of Spanish unity.

Growing fragmentation among his coalition partners has meant the government has passed little legislation in its third term and has not passed a budget since 2023, even as Spain's economy remains one of the best performing in the developed world.

On the international stage, Sanchez has stood out for his progressive positions, from Palestinian statehood to defending multilateral institutions and cracking down on what he calls tech oligarchs. His refusal to meet US demands to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, while pivoting toward China, has rattled President Trump and some European leaders concerned about Chinese goods flooding the bloc.

Sanchez has consistently framed immigration as essential to Spain's future, a stance that sets him apart from much of Europe. Whether that message, and his housing push, can overcome the polls in November remains the great question of Spanish politics.

One thing is certain: writing off Pedro Sanchez has rarely been a safe bet.

Frequently asked questions about the Spanish snap election

When is the Spanish general election?

The election is scheduled for November 29 of this year.

Why did Sanchez call an early election?

Sanchez called the election after his housing proposals were rejected by right-wing MPs, following a week of mass protests over Spain's housing crisis.

Who could win the Spanish election?

Opinion polls suggest a coalition led by the conservative People's Party with the support of the far-right Vox party is the most likely outcome.

What has Sanchez achieved in office?

Sanchez has overseen labour reform that reduced unemployment to near two-decade lows, exhumed Franco's remains, and maintained a pro-immigration stance, including accepting the Aquarius migrant ship in 2018.