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.
España debe seguir avanzando, progresando desde la tolerancia y el respeto. Sin crispación, redistribuyendo la riqueza, reconociendo nuevos derechos y libertades. Para ello, he propuesto la disolución de las Cámaras y la convocatoria de #EleccionesGenerales el 28 de abril. pic.twitter.com/gJqRp0quXJ
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 15, 2019
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.
