- Spain has voted: The conservative opposition People’s Party (PP) won the parliamentary elections, but failed to achieve an absolute majority.
- The previous head of government, Pedro Sánchez, came second with his socialist PSOE.
- It is still completely unclear on election night whether PP election winner Alberto Núñez Feijóo will succeed in forming a government.
The right-wing populist VOX, with which Feijóo has not ruled out cooperation, made it clear on election night that it wanted to be in government. You will not “give away” your own votes, warned VOX Secretary General Ignacio Garriga.
Together with VOX and another possible party, the votes for the PP would not be enough to achieve a majority in parliament. It could also be difficult for the current governing party under Pedro Sánchez. Together with allies, they could have almost 172 mandates. However, the absolute majority is 176 seats.
Pedro Sanchez told supporters: “The bloc that wanted to undo all the progress made over the last four years has failed”. Sanchez thus proclaimed victory for the left parties.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo also declared victory. His party will talk to all parties in order to be able to govern the country. He urged that no one should try to block the formation of a government.
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Conservative supporters are eagerly awaiting the final result.
REUTERS/Juan Medina