Spain could follow the US and Brazil on the far right in early parliamentary elections on July 23, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said today, calling on Spaniards to give him “strong, active support over the next four years.”

Socialist Sanchez announced early elections after the left-wing minority coalition government he leads suffered heavy losses in municipal and regional elections held on Sunday.

Recent polls show that the conservative People’s Party (PP) is ahead of the Socialists (PSOE) but does not secure an absolute parliamentary majority, meaning it may have to negotiate a coalition with the anti-immigration party Vox, which is trailing in third place. to heart rate measurements.

In his first public statements since the election was announced, Sanchez warned that voting for the PP would mean admitting to government a party that shared the views of Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro.

“Spain is not immune to this reactionary trend, but in Spain we can stop it for the sake of our sons and daughters,” Sanchez told socialist lawmakers, urging Spaniards to decide “whether they want a prime minister on Biden’s or Trump’s side.” .

NP leader Alberto Nunez Feijo today confirmed he would seek an absolute majority and declined to answer questions about a possible deal with Vox.

Speaking at an event in Barcelona, ​​he also said he would focus on reducing public debt if his party won in July, adding that the government led by his party would also cut electricity bills for consumers and some businesses.

Sanchez acknowledged that holding early elections in the midst of summer vacation is not at all convenient for many.

“I know that the first regular (post-pandemic) holidays are approaching, in which Spanish society needs to rest. I understand this, but the decision taken on July 23 will be decisive for Spain in the next decade,” he said.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters, AFP.