Spain's PM calls snap election for 29 November
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called a snap election for 29 November after his minority government failed to pass housing reforms in Congress. Polls show his Socialist party trailing the conservative People's Party.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has confirmed that Spain will hold a snap general election on 29 November. The announcement follows a failure in Congress to pass housing reform legislation backed by Sanchez's Socialist party, which currently leads a minority government.
A difficult path to re-election
Sanchez faces a tough fight to stay in power. Current polling indicates his Socialist party is trailing the conservative People's Party. Many observers expect that, should it win, the People's Party would seek to form a government in coalition with the far-right Vox party.
Warning on the far right
In his statement announcing the election, Sanchez cautioned Spaniards about what he described as an "extreme-right wave" visible in other countries. He argued that Spain should continue serving as a global example on peace, feminism and prosperity.
BBC correspondent Guy Hedgecoe is covering developments from Spain, with the BBC continuing live coverage of reactions to Sanchez's announcement.
