Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, announced on Monday that early elections will be held on November 29. This move could signify the end of one of the last major Socialist governments in the European Union and could also remove one of the main critics of Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, from the political scene.
Political Context of the Early Elections
Sánchez, who is under political pressure and facing corruption cases within his Socialist party, faced severe criticism this summer for his handling of the migration crisis in the autonomous city of Ceuta in North Africa. This crisis is particularly linked to the unbearable housing situation in Spain, which has become one of the main concerns for voters and has led to nationwide protests.
Lawmakers rejected two bills aimed at addressing the housing crisis on Friday. This crisis was exacerbated by the eviction of María Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who had lived in a Madrid apartment since 1956. This issue led to nationwide protests and impacted public opinion.
Sánchez's Challenges in the Upcoming Elections
Although Sánchez is known as a politician with a high ability to return to power, he faces significant challenges in turning this crisis to his advantage. Polls indicate that the People's Party, which currently has the support of 34% of voters, is likely to win the upcoming elections. In contrast, the Socialist Party is facing 26% voter support. Additionally, the far-right Vox party, which is expected to secure 18% of the votes, is likely to collaborate with the People's Party.
While Sánchez's popularity has declined domestically, he has become one of the Western leaders who has strongly criticized Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, regarding the conflicts in Gaza and Iran. This indicates that Sánchez still holds influence on the international stage, even though he faces serious challenges at home.
