Spain's snap election: Sánchez picks 29 November

29 November: Spain heads for an early election after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announces that he wants voters to decide the country’s future. He made the announcement on Monday, 5 October, at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain. Sánchez has informed King Felipe VI, and an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers is due on Monday to formally call the vote.

Sánchez says his government needs a broader progressive majority in parliament. He admits it has made mistakes and failed to do everything it set out to do. Inequality, public services and access to housing remain problems, he says, while many people are dissatisfied.

He casts the election as a choice between another progressive government and what he calls a far-right wave. Sánchez also attacks the opposition parties PP and Vox, accusing them of blocking measures and questioning the legitimacy of Spain’s electoral system.

Despite what he describes as a combative parliament, Sánchez says his coalition has made economic and social progress. He points to funding sent to Spain’s autonomous communities for healthcare, education and housing, and says he will not sacrifice the welfare state to meet a NATO defence-spending target of 5% of gross domestic product.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com