For all his campaigning, polls show backing for Pedro Sanchez's party remains around the 26%-29% level recorded before he called the election. (EPA Images pic)MADRID: When Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez called a snap election last month, he was betting that anger over housing and fear of the far right would rally all shades of the left behind his Socialists.

But interviews and polls suggest that many potential supporters are too furious about the status quo and the perceived failings of his own incumbent government to oblige.

The eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal in September, and her subsequent death, triggered protests against a housing crisis that culminated in a general strike which unions said brought more than 3 million on to the streets on Wednesday.