Spanish PM calls for snap elections

Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, on Friday called for a snap general election in April.

"Spain must continue to advance, progressing from tolerance and respect. Without tension, redistributing wealth, recognizing new rights and freedoms. For this, I have proposed the dissolution of the Chambers and the call for # General Elections on April 28," Sanchez tweeted.

The Spanish prime minister in a televised address on Friday said, "The decision is in the Spanish people's hands and whatever they decide it will be a success."

The announcement came days after thousands of protesters thronged the streets of Madrid, making calls for fresh elections "for a united Spain" after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez proposed talks to ease tensions in Catalonia.

Sanchez announced the fresh elections two days after his Socialist government suffered a major setback in Parliament, when opposition lawmakers banded together with Sanchez's erstwhile Catalan allies to reject his budget plan, reported The New York Times.