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Spain facing third general election in under four years

The Prime Minister of Spain has called a snap general election after the Government suffered defe...
Michael Staines
Michael Staines

10.45 15 Feb 2019


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Spain facing third general ele...

Spain facing third general election in under four years

Michael Staines
Michael Staines

10.45 15 Feb 2019


Share this article


The Prime Minister of Spain has called a snap general election after the Government suffered defeat in a key budget vote.

It comes after right-wing parties were joined by Catalan secessionists in rejecting the socialist Government's national budget.

The country will now take to the polls for its third general election in less than four years on April 28th.

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In a televised statement this morning, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: "Between doing nothing and continuing without the budget and calling on Spaniards to have their say, I choose the second."

"Spain needs to keep advancing, progressing with tolerance, respect, moderation and common sense."

He said his Government's commitment to changing to the Spanish pension system, raising the minimum wage and increasing public sector incomes will be fulfilled "with or without budgets."

General Election

Mr Sanchez's socialist Government has been in power for just over eight months.

The political landscape in the Eurozone's fourth largest economy has become increasingly fragmented in recent months and opinion polls suggest no single party will be able to secure a majority.

Mr Sanchez's PSOE party is currently polling at around 30% - however any coalition of the country's two main right of centre parties would be projected to take home a slightly higher proportion of the vote.


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