Alberto Núñez Feijóo calls for snap Spanish elections and pledges 1 million homes

Demand for snap elections

Opposition leader and Popular Party president Alberto Núñez Feijóo called on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Saturday to dissolve parliament and call immediate general elections. Speaking for roughly thirty minutes at the closing session of the eighth La Toja Forum in O Grove, Pontevedra, Feijóo described housing policy as the symbol of failure for the current administration. He stated that his demand for an early vote was not driven by revenge, but by institutional deadlock and an administration that the country cannot endure any longer. Feijóo criticized what he described as perverted politics that relies on societal confrontation, accusing Sánchez of placing democratic institutions behind a personal project. The 65-year-old conservative leader remarked that he has no personal career left to build, framing his goal as returning lost time to Spanish citizens after two legislatures.

Spaniards must have their say as soon as possible to choose between those who have colonized and corrupted institutions and those who have a project to regenerate them and put them back in the service of citizens.

The million-home proposal

Feijóo outlined his party's residential alternative, pledging to approve a comprehensive housing plan during his first month in office if the Popular Party wins the next general election. The proposed policy sets a target to promote the construction of 1,000,000 homes over a four-year legislative term, equating to 250,000 new units annually. According to Feijóo, this construction initiative would generate more than 600,000 jobs across Spain. He explained that the draft plan, which his party is currently preparing, will be submitted to social partners, political formations, and housing sector representatives to incorporate their formal feedback and amendments.

Parliamentary defeat and nationwide protests

Feijóo addressed the forum one day after the Congress of Deputies struck down two royal decree-laws on housing that the Council of Ministers had approved on Tuesday. The defeat in parliament left the governing coalition without majority backing on housing policy, leading Sánchez to take several days to assess the legislative term. Across Spain on Saturday, citizen demonstrations took place in multiple cities to protest rising housing costs and demand access to affordable homes. Feijóo pointed to the congressional rejection as evidence that the legislative majority has fractured, arguing that Spain has the right to decide its future at the ballot box immediately.

Business reaction to strike proposals

At the same economic gathering in O Grove, Antonio Garamendi, president of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), rejected calls from activist groups for a general strike over housing. Garamendi stated that a housing strike falls outside the legal framework, noting that Spanish law strictly regulates strikes for labor disputes rather than broad social policy grievances. While acknowledging that citizens have the right to demonstrate in public spaces, Garamendi argued that the housing shortage is a real and complex issue that cannot be solved through simplistic measures. He emphasized that decision-making authority on housing resides entirely with public administrations rather than employers.

I believe it is very bad for Spain, and I also say something I do not understand. Is it a strike against the opposition, against companies? It is the first time I have seen this. I believe it is governments that have the decision-making power and the duty to act.