Early election decision from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez decided to hold early elections after the growing protests against the housing crisis in the country and the regulations prepared by the government were not passed by the parliament. General elections will be held on November 29.

"It is time for the Spanish people to decide what kind of future they want for themselves and their country," Sánchez said in a televised speech from the Moncloa Palace, his official residence in Madrid.

The call for a snap election comes less than three days after the government failed to gain support in parliament for two royal decrees aimed at easing the effects of the housing crisis.

These regulations included measures such as limiting evictions, protecting tenants and increasing the supply of affordable housing.

Sánchez acknowledged that his government “made mistakes” during his term and failed to implement everything it planned.

Stating that there are "many injustices" that need to be eliminated in the country, Sánchez stated that he wants to "renew and expand" public support in order to pursue reforms that will reduce inequality.

HOUSING CRISIS SPREAD TO THE STREET

Protests against the increase in housing prices and rents have grown in Spain in recent days.

While hundreds of people camped for days in Madrid's central Puerta del Sol Square, the protests spread to other cities of the country.

More than 70,000 people participated in the weekend housing protest in Madrid alone, according to government data.

Demonstrators are demanding more comprehensive measures to address high rents, evictions and problems accessing affordable housing.

Two housing regulations prepared by the Sánchez government were rejected in parliament, with opposing votes from the People's Party (PP), Vox and the Catalan separatist Junts.

Particularly the opposition of Junts, whose support the minority government needed in critical votes, once again revealed the fragility of the government in the parliament.

With the early election decision of the Sánchez government, which is expected to remain in office until 2027 under normal circumstances, the housing crisis in Spain became one of the most important agenda topics of the election campaign on November 29.