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Spain election: Political uncertainty after split result | Spain election: Political uncertainty after split result |
(35 minutes later) | |
Spain faces political uncertainty after two new movements won nearly a third of the seats in the country's election. | Spain faces political uncertainty after two new movements won nearly a third of the seats in the country's election. |
Anti-austerity party Podemos and liberal Ciudadanos made big gains as the conservative Popular Party (PP) lost its majority. | Anti-austerity party Podemos and liberal Ciudadanos made big gains as the conservative Popular Party (PP) lost its majority. |
"Spain is not going to be the same anymore and we are very happy," said Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias. | "Spain is not going to be the same anymore and we are very happy," said Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias. |
The PP and the Socialists had alternated running the government for more than three decades. | The PP and the Socialists had alternated running the government for more than three decades. |
The parties must now embark on negotiations to form a coalition. | The parties must now embark on negotiations to form a coalition. |
The PP had 28.72% of the vote, the Socialists 22.01%, Podemos 20.66% and Ciudadanos 13.93%. | |
Moving into the unknown | Moving into the unknown |
Fresh faces in Spanish politics | Fresh faces in Spanish politics |
A new political landscape | A new political landscape |
Analysis: BBC's Tom Burridge in Madrid | Analysis: BBC's Tom Burridge in Madrid |
The fact that the conservative PP came first with just 29% of the vote tells you how split this election was. | The fact that the conservative PP came first with just 29% of the vote tells you how split this election was. |
In reality the PP will struggle to find the necessary allies to form another government. | In reality the PP will struggle to find the necessary allies to form another government. |
Podemos, an anti-austerity movement born during Spain's financial crisis, confirmed its position as a new, powerful political force. | Podemos, an anti-austerity movement born during Spain's financial crisis, confirmed its position as a new, powerful political force. |
It is possible it could form part of a left-wing alliance. Mathematically, such a coalition could reach power with the support of pro-independence Catalan parties. | It is possible it could form part of a left-wing alliance. Mathematically, such a coalition could reach power with the support of pro-independence Catalan parties. |
But Spaniards could be guessing for days, or even weeks, about the shape and colour of their next Government. | But Spaniards could be guessing for days, or even weeks, about the shape and colour of their next Government. |
After corruption scandals and austerity, the political landscape here has been dramatically changed. | After corruption scandals and austerity, the political landscape here has been dramatically changed. |
PP leader Mariano Rajoy said he would try form a government, insisting: "This party is still the number one force in Spain." | PP leader Mariano Rajoy said he would try form a government, insisting: "This party is still the number one force in Spain." |
But Mr Rajoy admitted that his party had taken some "difficult and even unpopular decisions" over the past four years as Spain struggled through an economic crisis. | But Mr Rajoy admitted that his party had taken some "difficult and even unpopular decisions" over the past four years as Spain struggled through an economic crisis. |
Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez said his party was ready to start negotiations. | Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez said his party was ready to start negotiations. |
"Spain wants a move to the left," he said. | "Spain wants a move to the left," he said. |
Many Spaniards are poorer now than they were at the time of the last election, fuelling the rise of Podemos. | Many Spaniards are poorer now than they were at the time of the last election, fuelling the rise of Podemos. |
Unemployment remains high at 21%, the second-highest rate in the EU after Greece, although it has fallen from its 2013 peak of 27%. | 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 economy, corruption allegations and a separatist drive in the prosperous north-eastern region of Catalonia were all dominant issues in the election. | |
Podemos claimed it won more votes than any other party in Catalonia and the Basque region and came second in Madrid. | Podemos claimed it won more votes than any other party in Catalonia and the Basque region and came second in Madrid. |
"Many people have lost their confidence in traditional parties," said deputy leader Inigo Errejon. "The two-party system has ended." | "Many people have lost their confidence in traditional parties," said deputy leader Inigo Errejon. "The two-party system has ended." |
Podemos's rise was also hailed by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras, whose Syriza party is its ally. | Podemos's rise was also hailed by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras, whose Syriza party is its ally. |
"Austerity has been politically defeated in Spain," said Mr Tsipras, adding that the result was a sign that "Europe is changing". | "Austerity has been politically defeated in Spain," said Mr Tsipras, adding that the result was a sign that "Europe is changing". |
Albert Rivera, leader of the fourth-placed party Ciudadanos, meanwhile said the election marked a new era for young Spaniards like him, who were born after the country's dictatorship ended in 1975. | Albert Rivera, leader of the fourth-placed party Ciudadanos, meanwhile said the election marked a new era for young Spaniards like him, who were born after the country's dictatorship ended in 1975. |
"Those of us who didn't experience the first democratic transition are experiencing a second one," he said. | "Those of us who didn't experience the first democratic transition are experiencing a second one," he said. |
Election turnout was 73.2% - up slightly compared to the 2011 election. | |
What happens next? | |
In line with the Spanish constitution, after talking to each party, King Felipe VI will nominate a candidate for prime minister. This cannot take place until after the new Congress holds its inaugural meeting on 13 January. | |
The nominee must then win a vote of confidence in parliament. If this fails, another candidate can be nominated and seek parliamentary approval. | |
If no administration can be formed within two months of the election, another must be held. | |
Doing the post-election sums: | Doing the post-election sums: |
Spain at a crossroads | Spain at a crossroads |
Housing row in Catalonia: Taking back Barcelona's apartments | Housing row in Catalonia: Taking back Barcelona's apartments |
Depopulation in rural Castile and Leon: Resisting change in a dying village | Depopulation in rural Castile and Leon: Resisting change in a dying village |
Early school-leavers in Murcia: Spain's voters call for shake-up in classroom | Early school-leavers in Murcia: Spain's voters call for shake-up in classroom |