Spain’s Sánchez calls snap election amid national housing crisis – Europe live

In a very political conclusion of his speech, Sánchez says the voters will have to decide whether they want the country to “regress or keep moving forward,” as he paints the opposition as “a far-right coalition that offers no proposals,” but only wants to “repeal and curtail the rights and freedoms of the last eight years.”

“I have faith in my fellow citizens because I know you are a brave and compassionate people who rise to meet challenges and are unafraid to be the first, or the only ones, to step up and stand on the right side of history. We will work to earn your trust, to inspire hope, and to win again.”

Sánchez says “to do more, we need to renew and expand public support” for the “deep reforms” required.

“We must mobilise and secure a much broader progressive majority in parliament – one that allows us to overcome the elites … and continue transforming Spain,” he says.

“The time has come for the Spanish people to decide what future you want for yourselves and for your country,” he says. “It’s now up to you.”

He says the world is facing “a highly complex era” with “great tensions,” climate emergency, and social and technological changes, brought about by the rise of AI.

But, he says, it can also be a great opportunity.

“You, the Spanish people, must decide what role you wish to play in this era, and what role you want Spain to play,” he says.

There it is.

Sánchez calls snap election for ۲۹ November.

Sánchez says his government had to deal with “a highly contentious” parliament where “many confuse reaching agreements with betrayal,” and deal with “powerful economic and social elites” who want to influence Spain’s future without being ever elected.

He says his government had to deal with “the worst opposition in history,” as he says they never wanted to show any responsibility for the state, but kept challenging and questioning the legitimacy of the government.

He sums up what he says are his government’s achievements with Spain becoming the fastest-growing economy in the EU, recording a purchasing power increase “at three times” of France and Germany, but also with social and energy reforms.

“We have done everything in our power to defend the interests of the Spanish people,” he says.

He also points to his government’s decisions on foreign policy, with continued support for Ukraine, and work in the EU and at the UN, “fighting tyrants, oligarchs and speculators.”

He says it all transformed Spain into “a global example.”

It’s coming, surely.

Sánchez opens by saying that just over three years ago the electorate chose a progressive government following “the path of transformative ambition and social justice” that his government has been on since ۲۰۱۸ – despite various “unprecedented” emergencies and international challenges.

He very clearly sums up his government’s achievements and work of the last few years, so I think it’s pretty clear what’s coming next.

There he is. Let’s listen in.

The very format of Sánchez’s appearance this morning – “an institutional declaration” – is in itself a very heavy hint at what we are likely to see this morning.

It essentially means it’s not a regular press conference, and the PM is unlikely to take questions – and he’s just there to tell us something important.

His appearance comes after up to ۵۰۰,۰۰۰ protesters gathered in Madrid on Saturday to demonstrate against soaring housing costs.

Public anger was triggered a week ago by the case of an elderly woman who had been forcibly evicted from her flat.

Sánchez’s minority government in response had tried to pass two relief measures: restrictions on evicting vulnerable tenants and an automatic renewal on tenancies.

But these were voted down by opposition parties in parliament on Friday. The rejection infuriated protesters.

Morning opening: Spain’s Sánchez to speak amid speculation over early election

Jakub Krupa

Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez is about to hold a press conference shortly amid speculation he is about to call a snap election to address a national housing crisis, after parliament rejected two of his government’s emergency relief measures on Friday.

The vote prompted tens of thousands to march in the street on Saturday, in the capital Madrid and other cities. Protesters were calling for action on rent prices and tenant protections.

Spain’s next general election had been due next year, and Sánchez had previously said that he would complete a full four-year term.

But the defeats in parliament have raised questions on how effective his government can be in getting through key legislation, and analysts say while there’s the risk with an early election, it might be worth striking while the iron’s hot.

We will bring you the details as soon as Sánchez begins his speech.

Elsewhere, up to ۵۰۰ schools remain closed in France following nationwide protests against classroom conditions last week which also saw outbursts of violence and teachers attacked.

And Germany – Ukraine’s largest financial backer – says it will not be intimidated by Russian strikes after chancellor Friedrich Merz announced $۱.۱bn in military aid in his surprise visit to Kyiv yesterday, which was also marked by a drone strike on a city bridge.

I will bring you all the latest from across Europe here.

It’s Monday, ۵ October ۲۰۲۶, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.