Conservative Peoples party wins largest share of vote but falls short of majority and Unidos Podemos surge fails to materialise Spain is facing further political deadlock after the countrys second general election in six months proved a near rerun of the December vote, leaving the conservative Partido Popular (PP) with the most votes but once again short of an overall majority. Exit polls, which had suggested that the far-left Unidos Podemos coalition was on course to stage a historic breakthrough by pushing the socialist PSOE into third place, were thoroughly confounded as it became clear that the anticipated surge would […]

As political impasse continues, Spain faces real prospect of its third general election in just over a year on 25 December With the benefit of nearly 250 days of hindsight, Mariano Rajoys words a few hours after Spains told supporters early on 21 December last year. But it wont be easy. Fast-forward eight months, past Junes Rajoy jokingly replied that he didnt dare speculate. Many Spaniards share the fear, even if theyre finding it hard to laugh at the quip. The economy may be unemployment falling and tourist numbers Rajoy has accepted the kings invitation to try to form a […]