From the BBC, October 4:
Summary
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called a snap election
The move comes after his series of measures to tackle the housing crisis was defeated in parliament on Friday
Those measures were drafted after nationwide protests, triggered by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home for failing to pay a sharp rent increase
The woman's rent was raised from €500 (£428; $572) to €2,650. It was later lowered to €1,650 - still €300 more than her monthly pension
Sanchez has been prime minister since 2018 - Spain was not due to hold a general election until summer 2027
Most polls suggest the conservatives are likely to emerge as the largest party in the next election, which will take place on 29 November
Sanchez clearly wants to take the initiative - but it's going to be very tough for him to remain in power, writes Guy Hedgecoe in Madrid
....MUCH MORE, video; blog.
Some background at the Associated Press, October 2:
Spain’s government dealt blow after parliament rejects housing measures. Early election speculated
Spain’s progressive government was dealt a costly legislative defeat on Friday when lawmakers rejected a package of emergency measures aimed at tackling the nation’s housing affordability crisis, as protesters gathered outside Parliament demanding help for renters.
The setback sparked speculation in Spanish media that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez could consider bringing forward elections from next year. His office did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press regarding a possible snap election.
Sánchez spoke at the end of a five-hour parliamentary debate, making a last-gasp appeal to lawmakers to vote for the measures that he called “necessary.”
“What is behind these decrees is the desire to instill order and a sense of humanity in a market that if we do not rein it in will destroy our society,” Sánchez told the other 349 members....
....MUCH MORE
The votes almost look calculated to oust the Prime Minister.
