Spanish PM calls early general election in November

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Monday that Spain will hold an early general election on Nov 29.

Sanchez announced the decision in a video statement from the Moncloa Palace at 9:00 local time (0700 GMT), saying he would convene an extraordinary cabinet meeting later that morning to dissolve parliament and call the election.

The decision followed parliament's rejection on Friday of two government decrees aimed at easing the housing crisis and strengthening protections for tenants. The People's Party, Vox and the conservative Catalan party Junts per Catalunya voted against both measures.

The rejection highlighted the fragile parliamentary position of the coalition government led by Sanchez's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), which has relied on support from smaller and regional parties to pass legislation.

The PSOE has led Spain's government since 2018. Its parliamentary group holds 121 seats in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies, while its coalition partner, the left-wing alliance Sumar, holds 26. The coalition has therefore needed support from other parties, including the Basque Nationalist Party and the Catalan Republican Left.

Sanchez said he was seeking renewed public support and a broader progressive majority to advance his government's agenda. He also acknowledged that his government had made mistakes and had not achieved all its objectives.

The announcement came amid widespread protests over Spain's housing crisis, with demonstrators gathering in Madrid and other cities over the weekend to demand government action.

Spanish PM calls early general election in November

The ancient City of Kashi in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was bustling with tourists this National Day holiday, recording more than 160,000 tourist visits on Friday, the second day of the week-long holiday.

The day typically begins at the East Gate, where a traditional gate-opening ceremony is held every morning, featuring local Muqam music and the Hu Xuan dance.

"We're really glad to be here during the National Day holiday. We just watched the city-opening ceremony and could truly feel the warmth and hospitality of Xinjiang," said Luo Shuangzong, a tourist from northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The crowds then spilled into the ancient city’s winding streets, lined with food stalls, handicraft shops, cafes and photo studios.

Tourists enjoyed tea and musical performances in the courtyards and joined local residents in traditional gatherings.

"We watched all the performances. There were songs and dances from different ethnic groups, and I think they are really rhythmic and passionate, full of energy. I'm very very happy," said Zhang Fan, a tourist from Beijing.

Tourists enjoy hospitality in Xinjiang's Kashi ancient city during National Day holiday