Sánchez Calls November 29 Snap Election After Housing Decree Defeat

Key points

• Sánchez announced the snap election on October 5, 2026, setting the date for November 29, 2026, instead of the original July 2027 schedule.
• The trigger was the rejection of emergency housing decrees in parliament, which included eviction suspensions until 2030 and automatic lease renewals, opposed by the People’s Party, Vox, and Junts.
• Protests began after the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal in Madrid, leading to an encampment in Puerta del Sol that the High Court refused to disperse on October 5.
• Polls indicate the conservative People’s Party is likely to lead, but may need Vox support to form a government, while Sánchez’s coalition faces challenges from corruption investigations involving his wife and former officials.
• Sánchez aims to use the housing crisis to mobilize left-wing voters, despite previous failures to secure a majority and ongoing scandals, including the conviction of his brother and the imprisonment of a former minister.

Background

This follows a week of intense political turmoil in Spain, beginning with the rejection of two emergency housing decrees in parliament on October 2, 2026. The defeat, caused by the withdrawal of support from the Catalan party Junts, sparked massive protests across the country, including an occupation of Puerta del Sol in Madrid. The crisis was ignited by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, whose case became a symbol of the housing crisis. Prior to the snap election announcement, Sánchez had been weighing the option of an early vote to capitalize on public discontent, with speculation growing over the weekend. The current situation highlights deep divisions over rent controls and housing regulation, with the government framing the parliamentary defeat as a moral failing of the right-wing parties, while the opposition argues that regulation stifles supply.

Why it matters

The snap election will determine whether Spain continues with a left-wing minority government or shifts to a conservative-led coalition, potentially involving the far-right Vox. The outcome will directly impact housing policy, including eviction protections and rental regulations, which are critical for millions of Spanians facing a severe housing crisis. Additionally, the election will test Sánchez’s ability to navigate corruption scandals and maintain support from smaller left-wing and nationalist parties, which are essential for forming a government in a fragmented parliament. The result could also influence broader European political trends, as Sánchez warned of an 'extreme-right wave' in other countries.

What to watch

Sánchez’s government is expected to approve the housing measures on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, using a committee process that bypasses the dissolved parliament. A new hearing regarding the Puerta del Sol encampment is scheduled for Wednesday. The trade union CCOO has called for continued street protests on wages and housing in the coming months. The campaign for the November 29 election will focus on housing, wages, and the threat of far-right influence, with Sánchez attempting to mobilize left-wing voters despite unfavorable polls.