Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez launched his campaign on Saturday for a snap general election set for November 29, with the nation’s ongoing housing crisis shaping the political landscape. The election, originally scheduled for 2027, was brought forward after a wave of protests erupted following the eviction of 87-year-old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal in Madrid. Her case became emblematic of Spain’s deepening housing shortage and sparked nationwide demonstrations demanding stronger tenant protections and affordable housing policies.
Sanchez, who has led a left-wing coalition since 2018, called the early vote after his minority government’s proposed housing reforms—including rent caps and restrictions on corporate real estate acquisitions—were rejected by opposition parties in parliament. At a rally in Dos Hermanas, a traditional Socialist stronghold near Seville, Sanchez promised to strengthen legislation against “real estate speculation” if his party secures an absolute majority. He paid tribute to Abascal, who passed away in hospital recently, framing her and the related activism as a catalyst for change.
The prime minister’s campaign launch site holds symbolic significance, marking key moments in his political career such as his 2023 campaign kickoff and his return to party leadership after defeats in 2016. Supporters like 67-year-old Isabel Morales praised Sanchez for his efforts to improve wages, pensions, and housing laws during his tenure.
Opposing Sanchez is Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP), which leads recent polls but has yet to form a government since the 2023 election. Feijoo criticized the current administration’s handling of a separate migration crisis in Ceuta, where over 70,000 migrants arrived from Morocco this summer, leading to prolonged disarray and local unrest. At his campaign event in Madrid, Feijoo called for a “total change” and pledged to prioritize housing by promising to build 250,000 new homes annually, create 600,000 jobs, accelerate urban planning, and strengthen mortgage and rental support for young people. However, some protesters remain skeptical of his proposals, fearing that right-wing policies could worsen the housing situation.
Spain’s housing shortage shares challenges with other European countries, such as labor shortages, bureaucratic hurdles, and high urban demand driving up prices. The issue has gained prominence among younger voters, many of whom—despite an overall high homeownership rate—remain dependent on family due to soaring rents. The social housing stock in Spain is among the lowest in the European Union, and experts warn the housing deficit may reach one million homes by 2028.
The country’s decentralized governance complicates comprehensive solutions, as national legislation depends heavily on regional and municipal implementation, which has hindered consistent enforcement of housing measures since 2018. With public concern mounting, union groups have called a general strike for November 11 aimed at pressuring political parties to address housing and wage issues ahead of the vote. The election outcome could also hinge on the far-right Vox party, Spain’s third-largest parliamentary force, which may hold sway in coalition negotiations should no major party achieve a clear majority.