Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez is considering calling an early general election for 14th April, sources have told the EFE news agency. This would come just a month before the municipal, regional and European elections on 26th May and in the middle of the hearings in the trial of pro-independence Catalan leaders set to start tomorrow.
This possibility follows his troubles trying to pass a 2019 budget, with the amendments proposed by different parties set to be debated tomorrow in the Congress. There's still clear differences to reconcile between the government and the Catalan pro-independence parties whose votes they need.
Added to this is the demonstration held yesterday in Madrid, involving PP, Cs and far-right Vox, calling for an early election.
Choice of date
14th April is the anniversary of the proclamation of two Republics, both from 1931. That afternoon, Francesc Macià proclaimed the Catalan Republic in Barcelona; hours later the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed in Madrid. This year, it's also Palm Sunday, the start of the Easter holidays, a factor that could hit turnout.
To meet this date, the government would have to dissolve the Parliament and call the election next week, by the 19th February, to give the 54 days required by law. By law, the latest date for the next election in 26th July 2020.
There has also been talk of a bumper day of elections on 26th May, adding a general election to the already planned EU Parliament election, elections in over half of Spain's autonomous communities and local elections in every Spanish municipality. This, however, has notable opponents within Sánchez's PSOE party.