Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez aimed to pull off another unlikely comeback as he began campaigning on Saturday for a snap vote dominated by housing protests that have shaken the country. When 87-year-old Madrid pensioner Maricarmen Abascal was evicted from her home two weeks ago, no one could have expected Spain was headed for upheaval that would bring forward a general election scheduled for 2027. The eviction of Abascal, who became the face of the country's chronic housing crisis, catalysed nationwide protests that piled pressure on Sanchez's left-wing coalition to present urgent decrees.
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But after the minority government failed to pass its measures in parliament, Sanchez rolled the dice and called an election for November 29. Read moreSpanish PM Sanchez calls snap election as pressure mounts over housing crisis Sanchez, in power since 2018, has acquired international prominence in recent years as his clashes with US President Donald Trump and Israel endeared him to disillusioned global progressives. He is a divisive figure at home and trails in most polls to the main conservative Popular Party (PP).
At his rally Saturday, Sanchez vowed to strengthen legislation protecting tenants against "real estate speculation" if his party wins an absolute majority. "Maricarmen and all those who campaign for her, as well as all those who take action for the just cause of housing, have opened the way," he said, voicing his "affection" for Abascal, who died on Wednesday in hospital. Sanchez chose the symbolic location of Dos Hermanas, a commuter town outside the southern city of Seville and a historic Socialist stronghold, to kick off his electioneering.
He launched his 2023 election campaign from Dos Hermanas and went on to thwart the predictions by retaining office, even though the PP won more seats. Dos Hermanas was also the scene of Sanchez's political resurrection after he resigned as Socialist party leader in 2016, following two bruising general election defeats. As Sanchez began his rally, Isabel Morales, a 67-year-old pensioner in the crowd, told she viewed his term in office as "very positive".
"He's done a lot of things for the working class. He raised wages, raised pensions, enacted a housing law, a lot of things that are extremely positive. Let's hope he continues," she said.
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