Thu. Nov 21st, 2024
Occasional Digest - a story for you

DEVELOPING STORY,

Prime minister says he will dissolve Spain’s parliament after his party performed poorly in local and regional polls.

Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of Spain, has called an early general election for July 23 after his party suffered a major setback in local and regional polls.

In a televised address to the nation on Monday, Sanchez said he had informed King Felipe VI of his decision to dissolve parliament.

It came a day after his Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and its junior ally Podemos lost ground during the polls, while rival conservative People’s Party and far-right party Vox outperformed.

“I took the decision when looking at the results of the elections of yesterday,” Sanchez said.

“Although yesterday’s elections had a local and regional scope, the meaning of the vote conveys a message that goes beyond that. That is why, as both prime minister and PSOE’s secretary-general, I personally assume the results,” he added.

Sanchez had previously said he would complete his four-year term, suggesting that polls would be held in December.

This is a breaking story. More to follow

Source link