# How Spain Got Here: Pedro Sánchez's Eight Years in Power

> Pedro Sánchez's eight-year rule in Spain faces a vote on 29 November after his party came second in 2023.
- Title: How Spain Got Here: Pedro Sánchez's Eight Years in Power
- Summary: Pedro Sánchez's eight-year rule in Spain faces a vote on 29 November after his party came second in 2023. Spain votes on 29 November to end Pedro Sánchez's…
- Keywords: spain, pedro sánchez, election, amnesty, catalan independence, separatist parties, congress of deputies, spain election 2026, political crisis, court cases, news, world
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/how-spain-got-here-pedro-sanchez-years-in-power-2026
- Author: Arkady Petrov
- Published: 2026-10-21T13:58:56+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: spain, pedro sánchez, election, amnesty, catalan independence, separatist parties, congress of deputies, spain election 2026, political crisis, court cases, news, world
## Spain's 2023 Election
Sánchez's party came second in July 2023 with 121 seats.
## How Sánchez Stayed in Power
He kept power with separatist votes after promising amnesty to Catalan independence leaders.
## The Amnesty Law
Sánchez ruled out amnesty in November 2022 but backed it on 28 October 2023 to avoid a Vox government.
## Court Cases Around Sánchez
His former transport minister got 24 years in prison; his wife faces trial and brother is appealing.
## The 2023 Election Results
The PP won 137 seats, Socialists 121, Vox 33, and Sumar 31 in the July 2023 vote.
## Sánchez's Re-election
Congress re-elected Sánchez on 16 November 2023 by 179 votes to 171.
## The Amnesty Law's Impact
The law covers acts linked to Catalan independence between 2011 and 2023.
## Court Rulings on the Amnesty
The Constitutional Court upheld the amnesty in June 2025 but the Supreme Court has not applied it to Puigdemont.
## Sánchez's Political Crisis
Critics say Sánchez is politically responsible for court cases around him despite no direct charges.
## The 2026 Election
Spain votes on 29 November 2026 to end Sánchez's eight years in power.
## Prediction Markets
Prediction markets show Alberto Núñez Feijóo has an 81.5% chance of becoming prime minister.
## Sánchez's Party Challenges
The Socialist party faces investigations into finances and corruption allegations.
## The Court Cases
José Luis Ábalos was sentenced to 24 years and 3 months for corruption.
## Sánchez's Family Cases
His wife faces a jury trial and brother is appealing a conviction for administrative malfeasance.
## The Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court confirmed the lifting of the arrest warrant for Puigdemont on 19 October 2026.
## What Happens Next
The new Congress meets on 23 December 2026 if Sánchez loses the vote on 29 November.
## Key takeaway

Spain votes on 29 November to end Pedro Sánchez's eight years in power after his party came second in the 2023 election.