Spain Prime Minister Sánchez calls for early, 'snap' election amid housing, migration crisis

Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday called for an early election following his left-wing governing coalition, which lacks a majority in Parliament, lost a parliamentary vote on the passage of emergency housing measures.

So-called "snap elections" are historically called to decide a pressing issue, decide a pressing issue or a political impasse when no single political party has a majority of parliamentary seats. 

Sánchez's party is expected to make the election about the housing issue, following thousands of people in Spain protesting in recent days over soaring rents and home prices, according to The New York Times. 

But the conservative Popular Party and the far-right Vox party are expected to focus instead on the migration crisis, and on Mr. Sánchez himself, a deeply unpopular figure among right-wing voters.

The election will be held Nov. 29, months ahead of schedule, Sánchez said Monday.