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
Israeli media: Several soldiers were killed in the Beit Hanoun ambush
Israeli media: 16 soldiers were injured, including four in critical condition, as a result of a security incident in the northern Gaza Strip
Israeli media: At least 10 soldiers injured in two serious incidents in the Gaza Strip
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: Hezbollah is an independent force defending its country, just like all resistance movements in the region
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: All Iranians set aside their differences and united to confront the aggression
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: Words like surrender or retreat do not exist in our books or dictionaries, and any aggression will be met with unforgettable blows
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: Many Western countries rushed to send weapons to the [Israeli] entity after the end of its aggression against Iran
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: In the event of any mistake or act of aggression, we will cross all red lines
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: The Israeli army and US forces deployed across West Asia are within the range of our armed forces' firepower
Brigadier General Shakarchi to Al Mayadeen: The United States is primarily responsible for the war on Iran, and we warn it, its proxy, and all those who support them against launching any new aggression

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

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' peace deal

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' normalization

  • MENA
  • 4 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam hits IOF groupings in Khan Younis; ‘tough incident’ reported

3 Israeli soldiers killed by Resistance gunfire in south, north Gaza

  • Palestine
  • 4 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • Today
Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)

'Israel' concealed damage inflicted by Iran in war, report finds

  • Politics
  • 5 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Big beautiful bill's ugly reality for American healthcare
US & Canada

'Big beautiful bill's' ugly reality for American healthcare

Ukrainian Forces struggle to hold Eastern front lines: NYT
Europe

Ukrainian forces struggle to hold eastern frontlines: NYT

Plan proposes transit camps for Gazans ahead of possible relocation
US & Canada

GHF proposed 'transit areas' plan prior to Gaza residents 'relocation'

Lavrov: IAEA will be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments
Europe

IAEA to be held accountable for pre-strike Iran assessments: Lavrov

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