Spanish political deadlock continues as far-right surge blunts socialist win
- The acting prime minister’s ruling socialists lost three seats and failed to reach absolute majority.
- Far-right Vox party doubled its standing in parliament, while the conservative People’s Party also increased its seats from 66 to 87
Spain’s fourth election in four years produced Sunday an inconclusive victory for the ruling socialist PSOE party of incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and gave a fillip to the far-right, while deepening the country’s political stalemate.
No obvious governing majority emerged from the vote. Spain used to have stable politics, but this has been upended by the rise of new parties and a separatist crisis in the north-eastern Catalonia region.
With results in from more than 99.9 per cent of polling stations, the PSOE won 28 per cent of the vote and 120 seats, down three from the last general election in April, and far from a parliamentary majority of 176.
The far-right Vox party won 15.1 per cent and 52 seats, more than doubling its outgoing parliamentary tally of 24; and the conservative People’s Party (PP) rose to 20.8 per cent and 87 seats, recovering from April’s historic low of 66.
“Only 11 months ago we were not represented in [regional, national and European parliaments],” Vox leader Santiago Abascal told flag-waving supporters in Madrid. “Now we are Spain’s third political force,” he added.