Analysis-For Spain's Socialists, regional elections a rehearsal for national vote

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: An electoral member places a ballot of People's Party (PP) as she counts the ballots after the Andalusian regional elections in Ronda, Spain June 19, 2022. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

MADRID (Reuters) - In speeches across the country ahead of regional elections on Sunday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has promised two-euro cinema tickets for the elderly, affordable homes for the young and money to mitigate the effects of a long-term drought.

Sanchez's electoral pledges show how he is using Sunday's ballot to set the stage for a national vote due to take place at the end of the year that will decide whether his Socialist party remains in power, according to Lluis Orriols, professor of political science at Carlos III University.