Sánchez and Feijóo Open Spanish Campaigns With Housing at Center

Spain’s Nov. 29 early general election campaign opened with housing affordability and tenant protections at its center, after the eviction and subsequent death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal became a focus of nationwide protests. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose government failed to pass proposed housing measures in parliament, promised stronger tenant protections and action against property speculation if his Socialist Party wins an absolute majority. He launched his campaign in Dos Hermanas, a symbolic Socialist stronghold near Seville associated with his political comeback, while acknowledging the party’s recent electoral setbacks. Conservative Popular Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo also began campaigning, presenting himself as an alternative to Sánchez, who trails the PP in many polls.