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Spanish voters head back to polls in bid to break deadlock Spanish voters head back to polls in bid to break deadlock
(about 5 hours later)
Polls have opened in Spain after the four main parties failed to break the political deadlock from December's inconclusive general election. Elections are being held in Spain after the four main parties failed to break the political deadlock from December's inconclusive general election.
Opinion polls have suggested that Sunday's election may still not overcome the stalemate. Opinion polls suggest the conservative Popular Party (PP) will win, but fall short of a parliamentary majority.
The conservative Popular Party (PP) is tipped to win, but to fall short of a parliamentary majority. The left-wing Unidos Podemos alliance is tipped to beat the Socialists (PSOE) into second place, with the coalition between the two a possibility.
Polls indicate the left-wing Unidos Podemos alliance is edging ahead of the Socialists (PSOE) for second place. The vote comes days after the UK voted to leave the EU.
The two could potentially form a broad left-wing coalition. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has sought to portray the poll as a choice between economic stability and the uncertainty offered by Unidos Podemos, a party that emerged just two years ago in protest against austerity measures demanded by Brussels.
The centre-right, pro-business party Ciudadanos (Citizens) is forecast to take fourth place. Podemos' leader, Pablo Iglesias, has denied his party is eurosceptic, telling the BBC he was "sad" to see the referendum results.
"We hope for a different Europe, we will fight for a Europe with social rights as a reality and we are for Europe and the people in Europe."
Analysts say many voters are disillusioned and a high turnout is not expected.Analysts say many voters are disillusioned and a high turnout is not expected.
December's election was a watershed for Spain, because the PP and the PSOE had previously alternated in power since the restoration of democracy in the 1970s.December's election was a watershed for Spain, because the PP and the PSOE had previously alternated in power since the restoration of democracy in the 1970s.
Unidos Podemos (United We Can) and other leftists argue that the PP, under acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, has been discredited because of austerity and the chronic unemployment that has plagued Spain since the 2008 financial crisis. But after months of talks no party was able to form a coalition or minority government.
Unidos Podemos (United We Can) and other leftists argue that the PP, under acting Prime Minister Rajoy, has been discredited because of austerity and the chronic unemployment that has plagued Spain since the 2008 financial crisis.
The PP, however, says Spain's improved economic performance is proof that its policies have worked.The PP, however, says Spain's improved economic performance is proof that its policies have worked.
The UK's referendum vote on Thursday to leave the European Union has cast a shadow over Spain's election. Casting his vote, Mr Rajoy urged Spaniards who "love and feel for their country" to make their voices heard.
Mr Rajoy said it was "important to convey a message of institutional and economic stability". "Spain will be what the Spanish people want it to be, it will have the government and the members of parliament the people want," he said.
Meanwhile, Unidos Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias said Europe had to "change course", adding: "No-one would want to leave Europe if it were fair and united." The centre-right, pro-business party Ciudadanos (Citizens) is forecast to take fourth place.
Polls open at 07:00 GMT and close at 18:00 GMT with results expected two to three hours later. Polls close at 18:00 GMT with results expected two to three hours later.