The move followed the government’s failure to secure parliamentary support for two housing decrees that would cap rents, temporarily ban evictions and limit companies from buying homes. A day after the announcement, the cabinet approved the two decrees with some modifications.

The announcement coincided with nationwide demonstrations over housing affordability, sparked by the forced eviction and death of 87‑year‑old María del Carmen Abascal, known as Maricarmen, who became a national symbol of the crisis.

Sánchez is betting that the public anger over housing will give his Socialist Party the momentum needed to finally obtain a parliamentary majority – something the party has never achieved since it took power in 2018.

Polls, however, point to a right‑wing coalition led by the People’s Party and Vox as the most likely winner, making the snap election a risky gamble for Sánchez.

If the polls are right, the election could bring a conservative coalition to power, turning Sánchez’s gamble into a loss.