Pedro Sánchez decided to dissolve parliament and call a snap general election for November 29 during a Sunday family lunch on October 4, according to comments he made on the podcast Keep it Cutre. The socialist leader stated that both his parents and his wife, Begoña Gómez, told him the legislature needed renewal after key legislative measures failed to advance, prompting him to inform King Felipe VI later that same day.
The Decision at the Family Table
Appearing on the podcast hosted by Ángela Henche and Albanta San Román, Sánchez rejected the notion that every political move he makes is driven purely by electoral calculation. He pointed to the rejection of the housing decree law as a moment when he chose not to call an immediate vote, waiting instead to gauge public reaction and consult his family during their regular Sunday gathering.
“My parents and my wife told me that we had to call elections,” Sánchez said during the podcast appearance. After listening to their assessment, he contacted the monarch to set the electoral timeline in motion, leading to his public announcement the following day regarding the November 29 ballot.
Addressing the Concept of Temporary Power
During the interview, which featured a casual wardrobe of jeans and a sweater, Sánchez addressed accusations from conservative opponents that he intends to cling to power indefinitely. He described the presidency as a transitory role rather than a permanent office.
“The presidency is an honor, but it is conjunctural,” Sánchez said. “I tell my daughters and my wife that, fortunately, it is not a post for life.” He acknowledged that while political life remains demanding, he intends to seek another full four-year term.
Artificial Intelligence and Street Unrest in Barcelona
The prime minister also criticized the opposition parties, specifically the Popular Party and Vox, for utilizing artificial intelligence to target political adversaries. He alleged that political actors are deploying tools similar to those used by online harassers against minors, confirming that his wife, Begoña Gómez, filed a legal complaint against the Popular Party over an AI-generated video that attributed illicit acts to individuals within the socialist circle.
“Tant els meus pares com la meva dona em van dir que calia convocar eleccions,” Sánchez said, detailing the family discussion that preceded the official electoral decree.
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