Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez calls snap election after housing legislation fails to pass

Election called after rightwing parties voted down emergency legislation aimed at tackling housing crisis

Spain’s socialist prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has announced a snap general election three days after rightwing parties torpedoed the emergency legislation his minority government had put forward in response to growing public anger over the country’s housing crisis.

Sánchez, who has been in office since 2018, used a televised address on Monday morning to communicate his decision, which had been widely expected.