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Spain · Security · Minor · impact 3 of 5
First reported 5 October 2026 · latest 11 October 2026 · 12 reports from 7 outlets
One development in Spain housing crisis protests
Spain's prime minister has called an early election after protests over housing and evictions, leaving about 80,000 people affected by unrest and political uncertainty.
He has failed to pass a single budget, while corruption investigations involving his party as well as his family have multiplied. The arrival of about 80,000 undocumented migrants in Ceuta, a Spanish exclave in North Africa, this summer fuelled a new wave of social discontent. His housing proposal sought to freeze rents, make rental contracts indefinite, prohibit the eviction of vulnerable people and regulate short-term tourist apartments.
"We want to pull our country out of the ruin, the corruption, the shady practices that we've been seeing recently," he said. Housing, long a top public concern, was a topic hanging large over both of Saturday's rallies as hundreds of protesters camped in Madrid's emblematic Puerta del Sol square and in other cities demanding more protection for tenants and affordable prices. The main unions have called a general strike for November 11 the first such stoppage in Spain since 2012 to crank up the pressure over housing and wages before the vote.
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The PP leader, who tops most polls, has focused his criticism on the government's handling of a migration crisis in Ceuta, where he held an event on Wednesday promising to restore normality. More than 70,000 migrants streamed into the Spanish north African enclave from neighbouring Morocco in late July. Thousands have remained for months in largely chaotic conditions, sparking anger among locals.
More than 70,000 migrants streamed into the Spanish north African enclave from neighbouring Morocco in late July. Thousands have remained for months in largely chaotic conditions, sparking anger among locals. Yet the polls suggest Feijoo is unlikely to achieve a majority, which could make far-right party Vox, parliament's third-largest force, a kingmaker in hypothetical coalition talks.
"We want to pull our country out of the ruin, the corruption, the shady practices that we've been seeing recently," he said. Housing, long a top public concern, was a topic hanging large over both of Saturday's rallies as hundreds of protesters camped in Madrid's emblematic Puerta del Sol square and in other cities demanding more protection for tenants and affordable prices. The main unions have called a general strike for November 11 the first such stoppage in Spain since 2012 to crank up the pressure over housing and wages before the vote.
Although the government declared the crisis over soon afterward, at least 10,000 migrants were still in the exclave two months later, which has a population of only around 80,000. It was not until last Sunday that police cleared an improvised camp where around 3,000 people had been living. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The crisis altered Sanchez's previously relatively liberal migration policy.
At the end of July, more than 70,000 people crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta within a short period of time. Although the government declared the crisis over soon afterward, at least 10,000 migrants were still in the exclave two months later, which has a population of only around 80,000. It was not until last Sunday that police cleared an improvised camp where around 3,000 people had been living.
Junts ultimately refused to support Sanchez on housing policy, leaving him without backing on an issue that has been at the top of the political agenda following nationwide protests. At the end of July, more than 70,000 people crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta within a short period of time. Although the government declared the crisis over soon afterward, at least 10,000 migrants were still in the exclave two months later, which has a population of only around 80,000.
Most have returned over the border to Morocco, but the city has become a political and logistical headache for the prime minister. Thousands have protested in cities across Spain against the government's handling of the influx of migrants to Ceuta Although Sánchez had insisted until recently that he would see out the legislature and not call elections until next summer, his government had looked increasingly unlikely to make it that far. The wave of outrage which has exploded in recent days over housing has provided him with the ideal reason to call elections early - and a welcome issue away from Ceuta and the allegations of corruption.
In addition, Sánchez's wife, Begoña Gómez, is due to go on trial over allegations of misuse of funds and influence peddling - accusations that Gómez and Sánchez vehemently deny. Meanwhile, Sánchez's administration has struggled to manage the crisis in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in North Africa, where more than 70,000 migrants suddenly arrived in July. Most have returned over the border to Morocco, but the city has become a political and logistical headache for the prime minister.
Sanchez, in office since 2018, said in a televised address, adding his aim was to secure a much broader, progressive majority in parliament . Spain PM to make public address after housing measures rejected: officeThe next general election was due by August 2027.Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Madrid and other cities in Spain on Saturday (October 3) to demand affordable housing. The government s proposed measures, which included automatic renewal of tenancy contracts and restrictions on evicting vulnerable tenants, were voted down by opposition parties in Spain s parliament.
Sanchez -- one of Europe s chief critics of U.S. President Donald Trump -- has also faced widespread criticism over his handling of the crisis in the North African territory of Ceuta, where thousands of migrants from Morocco entered in late July. The situation at Europe s land border with Africa has gradually deteriorated, with many migrants still sleeping in makeshift camps.
The opposition leader said it would not be "just another election", but a chance for voters to choose between "decline or change, lies or change, incompetence or change, division or change, corruption or change". The eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home led to public outcry On Saturday, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in cities including Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona, calling for greater protections for tenants. Maricarmen Abascal, 87, became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis when she was forcibly evicted from her Madrid home on 23 September.
And in June, Sánchez's former transport minister, José Luis Ábalos, was jailed for 24 years after he was found guilty of being involved in a network that received kickbacks from the sale of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Spanish prime minister also came under scrutiny for his handling of the Ceuta migration crisis over the summer, when tens of thousands of people entered the territory from Morocco without authorisation. 'Anger in the streets': Tens of thousands protest in Spain over housing crisis Spanish PM Sánchez loses key housing crisis vote after eviction of woman, 87
The Spanish prime minister also came under scrutiny for his handling of the Ceuta migration crisis over the summer, when tens of thousands of people entered the territory from Morocco without authorisation. 'Anger in the streets': Tens of thousands protest in Spain over housing crisis Spanish PM Sánchez loses key housing crisis vote after eviction of woman, 87
He has failed to pass a single budget, while corruption investigations involving his party as well as his family have multiplied. The arrival of about 80,000 undocumented migrants in Ceuta, a Spanish exclave in North Africa, this summer fuelled a new wave of social discontent. His housing proposal sought to freeze rents, make rental contracts indefinite, prohibit the eviction of vulnerable people and regulate short-term tourist apartments.
The government s defeat in parliament on Friday was the latest in a series of political setbacks for the centre-left leader and was followed by mass protests across the country over the housing crisis. The Spanish government said over 70,000 protesters took part in a housing protest in the capital, Madrid on Saturday. Anger had been building since late last month, when an 87-year-old woman, Marai del Carmen Abascal, was evicted from her home of 70 years in Madrid after an international investment fund bought her building and increased the rent.
The government s defeat in Parliament on Friday was the latest in a series of political setbacks for the centre-left leader, followed by mass protests across the country over the housing crisis. The government said more than 70,000 people took part in a housing protest in the capital, Madrid, on Saturday. Anger had been building since late last month, when an 87-year-old woman, Marai del Carmen Abascal, was evicted from her home of 70 years in Madrid after an international investment fund bought her building and increased the rent.
"I also know that part of that social majority is dissatisfied today," he said. The announcement comes after parliament rejected housing relief measures proposed by his government as tens of thousands gathered in Madrid over the weekend to demand affordable housing. The eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal sparked nationwide protests.
In an address to the nation, Mr Sanchez said the election would be held on November 29. The announcement comes after parliament rejected housing relief measures proposed by his government as tens of thousands gathered in Madrid over the weekend to demand affordable housing.
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