Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: There is consensus regarding the next stages of Gaza
Donald Trump says he will visit 'Israel' and Egypt
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: Israeli helicopters dropped explosive devices on a house in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south Lebanon.
Lecornu says he accepts being reappointed French PM 'out of duty'
Macron reappoints Sebastien Lecornu as France's PM
Palestinian youth killed by Israeli occupation forces in the center of Jenin, in the occupied West Bank: Al Mayadeen's correspondent
Fars News Agency denies social media reports about the assassination of the commander of the IRGC Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani
Statement by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine: A salute of pride and honor to the support fronts in Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq, who offered martyrs on the path to al-Quds
Statement by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front: The steadfastness of the Resistance fighters and all our people foiled the displacement and uprooting schemes and set an immortal lesson in steadfastness and defiance
Statement by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front: Our people in the Gaza Strip confronted the most horrific Zionist crimes with legendary steadfastness and resilience

After heavy loss, Spanish PM calls for snap elections

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 May 2023 14:51
3 Min Read

The elections will take place immediately after Spain assumes the rotating chair of the European Union on July 1.

  • x
  • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks on during a press statement with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 18, 2022. (Reuters)
    Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks on during a press statement with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 18, 2022. (Reuters)

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for a surprise July 23 snap election on Monday shortly after left-wing ruling Socialist Workers' Party PSOE suffered a heavy loss in Sunday's regional and local elections against its conservative rival People’s Party PP.

The PP led the race with 7.43 million votes, surpassing the socialist party by almost 3.4 percentage points. The results were widely viewed as a rehearsal for a general election scheduled at the end of the year.

Spaniards across the country voted for mayors in 8,131 municipalities, while also electing leaders and assemblies in 12 of Spain's 17 regions. 

The PSOE was only able to secure three regions it used to govern, as per Europa Press agency.

Sanchez announced in a televised speech that he had notified King Felipe VI of his intention to dissolve parliament and "call a general election" on July 23.

"I have taken this decision in light of the results of yesterday's elections," he said.

"As the head of the government and of the Socialist party, I take responsibility for the results and I think it is necessary to respond and submit our democratic mandate to the popular will," he added.

The elections will take place immediately after Spain assumes the rotating chair of the European Union on July 1.

Sanchez has faced numerous challenges since taking office in 2018: voter dissatisfaction with his left-wing administration, skyrocketing inflation, and dwindling buying power in the eurozone's fourth-largest economy.

Related News

Morocco likely involved in Pegasus hacking 200+ Spanish mobile numbers

He has had to deal with the impact of periodic squabbles between the Socialists and their hard-left coalition partner Podemos. 

The PP secured just over seven million votes (31.52 percent) in the municipal elections, in comparison with nearly 6.3 million for the Socialists (28.11 percent).

The numbers represent a big setback for Sanchez, whose Socialist party leads the eurozone's fourth-largest economy in partnership with the far-left Podemos party. 

"We have won a clear victory and Spain has taken the first steps towards a new political era," said the opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, head of the right-wing Popular Party (PP) in a victory speech early on Monday.

However, the PP will be able to rule in numerous regions only with the help of the far-right Vox, which was also a winner in Sunday's polls, posing a big dilemma for Feijoo. 

Vox, the third-largest party in parliament, aspires to be a vital partner for the PP, both regionally and, ultimately, nationally.

Recognizing that conquering the center is critical to winning the general election, Feijoo has attempted to modify the PP's position while keeping Vox at bay.

In Madrid, the PP was enjoying a double victory, with its hardline regional leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso securing an absolute majority, which means she will no longer have to rely on Vox for support. 

Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, the PP mayor of the capital, was also re-elected with an absolute majority. 

It is worth noting that 35.5 million voters were eligible to cast ballots in the local elections, and 18.3 million were eligible to vote in the regional elections.

Read more: Spain struggles to provide assistance to Ukrainian Refugees

  • Spanish PM
  • Spain elections
  • Spain
  • VOX

Most Read

A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025
President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump sets record-low refugee cap in new immigration policy shift

  • Politics
  • 4 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Palestinian children search for firewood and plastic in a landfill beside the makeshift tent camp where they are taking shelter, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Politics

Gaza orphans: Wounded, alone, and trapped in a humanitarian crisis

US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn after arriving on Marine One at the White House, Friday, October 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Politics

Accidental Truth Social post exposes Trump push to indict adversaries

A displaced Palestinian woman carries her baby as she walks with others along the coastal road near Wadi Gaza in the central Gaza Strip, heading toward Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UNICEF warns of skyrocketing child deaths in Gaza amid lack of aid

Former President Jimmy Carter's 2002 Nobel Peace Prize is sen on display at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, Monday, December 30, 2024, in Plains, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Politics

Trump team blasts Nobel Committee for passing president over

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS