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 team, suggesting that polls would be held in December.