The leader of Spain's opposition Socialists, Pedro Sanchez, has resigned, in a move that could end months of political deadlock.
The leader of Spain's opposition Socialists, Pedro Sanchez, has resigned, in a move that could end months of political deadlock.
Mr Sanchez stood down after losing a vote by the party's federal committee over the formation of a conservative-led governing coalition - a move he had strongly opposed.
Mr Sanchez stood down after losing a vote by the party's federal committee over supporting the formation of a conservative-led governing coalition - a move he had strongly opposed.
The past week had already seen almost half of the party's executive resign.
The past week had already seen almost half of the party's executive resign.
Spain has been in a political limbo for the past nine months.
Spain has been in a political limbo for the past nine months.
The results of a general election in December 2015 left a hung parliament. The majority Popular Party (PP) sought to form a coalition government but Mr Sanchez repeatedly blocked their attempts.
The results of a general election in December 2015 left a hung parliament. The majority Popular Party (PP) under acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has sought to form a coalition government but Mr Sanchez repeatedly blocked their attempts.
In attempt to break the stalemate, a second election was held on 26 June 2016 but, again, no party won an absolute majority.
In attempt to break the stalemate, a second election was held on 26 June 2016 but, again, no party won an absolute majority.
The Socialist Party (PSOE) has long been divided between supporters of Mr Sanchez and those who want to end the stalemate.
The Socialist Party (PSOE) has long been divided between supporters of Mr Sanchez and those who want to end the stalemate by supporting a coalition.
Many delegates at Saturday's federal committee meeting at party headquarters in Madrid had turned up hoping to force Mr Sanchez out.
Many delegates at Saturday's federal committee meeting at party headquarters in Madrid had turned up hoping to force Mr Sanchez out.
On Wednesday, 17 of the 35 members of the PSOE executive resigned in protest at Mr Sanchez's stance.
On Wednesday, 17 of the 35 members of the PSOE executive resigned in protest at Mr Sanchez's stance.
Are there parallels elsewhere in Europe?
Salutary lessons may be drawn from the travails of other left-leaning parties.
In the UK, left-wing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has so far survived a deep ideological split in the Labour Party, triggered by his own election as leader last year. He endured a wave of resignations including many of his shadow cabinet, and went on to win another leadership contest.
But perhaps more pertinent to Mr Sanchez is the experience of Greece's socialist Pasok party. The party that once dominated Greek politics fell dramatically from favour when the debt crisis hit - reviled for accepting hated austerity while in power in 2009. As with Podemos in Spain, the long-established left was challenged by a more radical party, Syriza, which is now in power.
Mr Sanchez may have feared that if his Socialist Party was seen as paving the way for the conservative PP to return to power, he would be similarly punished.
What are the stakes for Spain?
They are significant. The Socialists are Spain's second-largest party with 85 seats in parliament.
Parliament has until the end of October to decide whether to back a PP-led minority government. If not, Spain's stalemate will last 12 months and a third general election will take place in December.
How long can a country last without an elected government?
For a long time, if Belgium is to be taken as an example. A political deadlock there lasted for 541 days. The situation led to demonstrations and pressure from financial markets and ratings agencies.
Spain, the eurozone's fourth-biggest economy, is still recovering from the 2008-2013 double dip recession.
Prolonged political deadlock could bring uncertainty to investors and eventually slow the country's recovery.
It is thought that the uncertainty in Belgium only came to an end after the ratings agency Standard & Poor downgraded the country's credit rating, making it more expensive for Belgium to borrow money.
