The Guardian view on Spain’s snap election: high stakes for Europe as Pedro Sánchez gambles again
The Spanish prime minister has been a lonely champion of progressive values in the EU. But the polls look ominous
TL;DR
- Pedro Sánchez has called a snap election for November after his government was blocked from passing housing measures.
- The election is being framed around the chronic housing crisis and the eviction of an elderly woman in Madrid.
- The conservative Partido Popular (PP) holds a substantial poll lead over Sánchez's Socialist party.
- The far-right Vox party is polling close to 20%, potentially making them a kingmaker in a PP-led coalition.
- Corruption allegations and recent border chaos in Ceuta have damaged the government's reputation.
- A PP-Vox government could mean the far right taking national power for the first time since democracy's return.
- Such a government might restrict the rights of migrants and minorities and centralize power, challenging regional autonomy.
- Sánchez's government has been a counterweight to the rightward shift in European politics, advocating for migration and prioritizing social spending over defense.
- Despite his past successes in capitalizing on crises, Sánchez faces strong headwinds in this election.