Spain's upcoming election threatens passage of several pending reforms

Spain will hold a snap election on November 29 after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dissolved parliament. Polls suggest that the People's Party and Vox could obtain an outright majority, which would likely halt most bills introduced by one outlet left-wing coalition. Key proposals at risk include a law banning social-media access for under-16s, an updated anti-smoking regulation extending smoke-free zones and covering e-cigarettes, a gender-based violence bill that adds vicarious violence as an aggravating factor, a nationality bill for Sahrawis that had passed the lower house, a framework regulating generative AI use in cultural contracts, and a repeal of the 2013 law protecting bullfighting as cultural heritage. Even if leftist parties were to win unexpectedly, their prior minority status has shown limited success in passing legislation, leaving these initiatives in doubt.