April 28, between Sánchez or the right

Either Pedro Sánchez or the parties on the right. That is the message from the Spanish prime minister who announced a general election for April 28, after the shortest political term –just eight months– since the return of democracy.

After the Socialist government’s budget for 2019 failed to pass in the Spanish parliament this week, an outcome the pro-independence camp suspect was the hidden intention, Sánchez decided not to see out his term and will take on the conservative PP and Ciutadans, the pro-independence ERC and PDeCAT, and the leftwing Podemos, which has struggled to position itself as a main candidate.

The first Spanish prime minister since the return of democracy to occupy the post after winning a censure motion, Sánchez had said he intended to see out his term until 2020. Yet, despite local, regional and European elections in May, Sánchez decided to take the plunge.

Looking back over the eight months of the Sánchez government, it was the first in history in which there were more women than men - in José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero’s it was 50-50. Since coming to power in June, two ministers were forced to resign: Màxim Huerta, who stepped down over tax avoidance, lasted a week as culture minister, while Carmen Montón had to leave her post as health minister over allegations concerning her masters degree, although she was later exonerated.

The term began with Sánchez offering to take in migrants stranded on the Aquarius, an offer that was not repeated, while his government introduced 13 new laws and 25 decrees, which included raising the minimum wage. However, other things have been left pending, such as the exhumation of dictator Francisco Franco’s remains from the Valle de los Caídos and the introduction of a euthanasia law.