Spanish President calls for early elections amid tensions with Catalan separatists

Produces deep political divisions of the country, the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, called this Friday to early general elections for the 28th of April.

The news that the Spaniards will have to go to the polls for third time in less than four years this was announced after the socialist government led by Sanchez lost a budget vote in parliament.

Sánchez, who was already under pressure within his own socialist party to reduce his presidency he lost his weak legislative support this week after Catalan separatists joined the opposition legislators to reject their proposed spending for 2019.

"Between doing nothing and continuing without a budget, or giving the floor to the Spaniards, Spain must continue to progress, by excluding political tensions, creating quality jobs, expanding rights and freedoms, ensuring social protection, "said Sanchez in a statement from the Palacio de la Moncloa, seat of the Spanish government.

"I proposed the dissolution of the chambers and the convening of the April 28 general election", he added at the end of a speech in which he highlighted the achievements of his eight months in power.

Sanchez, 46, overthrew his predecessor, Mariano Rajoy, in June, winning a vote of no-confidence after the Conservative People's Party's corruption conviction.

But the simple majority of socialists, anti-austerity parties and regional nationalists who rallied against Rajoy collapsed last week, after Sánchez refused to accept a dialogue on the issue. Self-determination of Catalonia in the ongoing negotiations with the separatists.

Without mentioning Catalonia, Sanchez said he remained committed to dialogue with the country's regions and blamed the conservatives for not supporting the negotiations.

An uncertain future

Opinion polls indicate that the elections are unlikely to win, a situation far removed from the bipartisan politics that dominated the Spanish political scene for decades.

Sánchez Socialists seem to have an advantage, but they do not seem to have the support needed to form a government. It is unlikely that the Socialists can cross the threshold, even if they reach an agreement with the party Podemos, a third would be necessary.

However, the possibility that Catalan nationalists Joining any resulting coalition could be threatened by the ongoing trial, which brings together dozens of politicians and activists for their participation in the separatist attempt of Catalonia two years ago.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that a populist party won seats in a regional badembly, at the first important triumph of the far right in the Francoist post-dictatorship in Spain.

To get a significant number of votes, Vox could become the key factor of a right-wing coalition emerges with the PP and the centroderechistas of citizens.