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Spanish election: PM Rajoy's party 'leads, no majority' Spanish election: PM Rajoy's party leads, no majority
(35 minutes later)
Spain's governing conservative party has won the most seats in the general election but will fall short of an overall majority, exit polls suggest. Spain's governing conservative party looks to have won the most seats in the general election but will fall short of a majority, early results suggest.
The opposition Socialists are predicted to come in second place followed by the anti-austerity Podemos. With 54% of votes counted, the Popular Party was on 27.7%; the Socialists on 23% and anti-austerity Podemos 12.3%.
The liberal Ciudadanos party is in fourth place, according to the polls. The liberal Ciudadanos party is in fourth place, with 12.9% of the vote.
Podemos and Ciudadanos fielded national candidates for the first time, boosted by disillusion among the electorate for the two main parties.Podemos and Ciudadanos fielded national candidates for the first time, boosted by disillusion among the electorate for the two main parties.
The PP and the Socialists have alternated running the government for more than three decades.The PP and the Socialists have alternated running the government for more than three decades.
As voting ended on Sunday evening, the exit polls predicted Mr Rajoy's Popular Party (PP) would win 114-118 seats - well below the 176 seats it would need for a majority in parliament. It had 186 seats in the outgoing parliament. A spokesman for Podemos said the results showed that two-party politics in Spain had ended.
"We are entering a new era in our country," said Inigo Errejon.
The early results gave Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's PP 124 seats in the lower house of parliament - well below the 176 seats it would need for a majority. It had 186 seats in the outgoing parliament.
Corruption dominates debateCorruption dominates debate
New faces in politicsNew faces in politics
New political eraNew political era
The Socialists (PSOE) were predicted to win 81-85 seats; Podemos 76-80 and Ciudadanos (Citizens) 47-50. The Socialists (PSOE) were predicted to win 96 seats; Podemos 42 and Ciudadanos (Citizens) 32.
Podemos appears to have won a higher percentage of votes (21.7%) than the Socialists (20.5%) nationwide, but would get fewer seats due to Spain's electoral system. Turnout was put at about 72% - up slightly compared to the 2011 election.
Turnout was put at about 58.4% - up slightly compared to the 2011 election.
Analysts say several outcomes are now possible, including a centre-right-led coalition between the PP and Ciudadanos or a centre-left pact between the Socialists and Podemos and others.Analysts say several outcomes are now possible, including a centre-right-led coalition between the PP and Ciudadanos or a centre-left pact between the Socialists and Podemos and others.
Spain's economy, corruption allegations and a separatist drive in the prosperous north-eastern region of Catalonia were all dominant issues in the election.Spain's economy, corruption allegations and a separatist drive in the prosperous north-eastern region of Catalonia were all dominant issues in the election.
Mr Rajoy's administration adopted tough austerity measures and job reforms that, although unpopular, have been credited with returning the Spanish economy to growth.Mr Rajoy's administration adopted tough austerity measures and job reforms that, although unpopular, have been credited with returning the Spanish economy to growth.
However, unemployment remains high at 21%, the second-highest rate in the EU after Greece, although it has fallen from its 2013 peak of 27%.However, unemployment remains high at 21%, the second-highest rate in the EU after Greece, although it has fallen from its 2013 peak of 27%.
The PP has also been damaged by corruption scandals.The PP has also been damaged by corruption scandals.
Election system and numbers: Election system: