This video can not be played

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed Spain will be heading to the polls on 29 November, after Sanchez's Socialist party, which is currently heading a minority government, failed to pass housing reforms in the Spanish Congress.

Sanchez faces an uphill battle in his bid for re-election with polls showing Sánchez's Socialist party is trailing the conservative People's Party - which many expect to attempt to form a government with the far-right Vox.

In his statement announcing the election, Sanchez warned Spaniards about what he called the "extreme-right wave" being seen in other countries and said Spain should continue to be a global example of "peace, feminism and prosperity".

BBC correspondent Guy Hedgecoe reports.

Follow the BBC's live coverage following Sanchez's announcement.

Watch: How Spain's housing crisis has resulted in an early general election. Video, 00:01:07Watch: How Spain's housing crisis has resulted in an early general election

Up Next. Watch: How Brazil's dramatic election unfolded. Video, 00:01:27Watch: How Brazil's dramatic election unfolded

Watch: What we know about Russian strikes on Kyiv bridges. Video, 00:01:17Watch: What we know about Russian strikes on Kyiv bridges

Two people killed as floods hit Spain's Catalonia region. Video, 00:00:43Two people killed as floods hit Spain's Catalonia region

Rare tornado whips through small Australian town. Video, 00:00:31Rare tornado whips through small Australian town

Why has Brazil accused the US of election interference? Video, 00:01:57Why has Brazil accused the US of election interference?

Will Spain's housing crisis lead to a snap election? Video, 00:01:02Will Spain's housing crisis lead to a snap election?

Newly released video shows Luigi Mangione’s arrest. Video, 00:01:44Newly released video shows Luigi Mangione’s arrest

How widely used is the death penalty in the US? Video, 00:01:02How widely used is the death penalty in the US?

Watch: Emotional pilot recounts moment of Flydubai attack. Video, 00:01:05Watch: Emotional pilot recounts moment of Flydubai attack

Why are students protesting at schools in France? Video, 00:01:09Why are students protesting at schools in France?