This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48081540
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 8 | Version 9 |
---|---|
Spain election: Socialists set to win but no majority | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Spain's ruling Socialists are heading for victory in the third election in four years, but have fallen well short of a majority, early results say. | |
PM Pedro Sánchez's party is to win almost 30% and would need the support of radical left Podemos and Catalan nationalists to form a government. | |
For the first time since military rule ended in the 1970s, a far-right party is set to enter parliament. | |
Vox opposes multiculturalism, feminism and unrestricted migration. | Vox opposes multiculturalism, feminism and unrestricted migration. |
The party polled over 9% of the vote, which would give it 23 seats in the 350-seat parliament, with 23% of the vote counted. | |
The Socialist prime minister has presented himself as a bulwark against the far right's advance. | |
According to the early results the Socialists are set to win 128 seats while their former coalition partner Podemos would have 39. | |
That would leave the two parties short of the necessary 176 for a majority, and requiring the support of Catalan pro-independence parties and Basque nationalists. | That would leave the two parties short of the necessary 176 for a majority, and requiring the support of Catalan pro-independence parties and Basque nationalists. |
The Popular Party (PP), which ruled Spain until it was dumped from power in May 2018 in a no-confidence vote, is heading for its worst election ever, with just 67 seats. | |
That would leave the PP well short of forming a coalition with centre-right Ciudadanos (Citizens) and Vox. | |
Almost all votes are expected to be counted by midnight. | Almost all votes are expected to be counted by midnight. |
What are the key issues? | What are the key issues? |
The highly polarised campaign was dominated by issues including national identity, gender equality and the future of Catalonia. | The highly polarised campaign was dominated by issues including national identity, gender equality and the future of Catalonia. |
The semi-autonomous region held an independence referendum in October 2017 and declared its independence from Spain weeks later. | The semi-autonomous region held an independence referendum in October 2017 and declared its independence from Spain weeks later. |
A dozen of its leaders have since gone on trial in Madrid, facing charges including rebellion and sedition. | A dozen of its leaders have since gone on trial in Madrid, facing charges including rebellion and sedition. |
Analysts say support for Vox has been boosted by widespread anger at the independence drive. The party fervently opposes any concessions to the secessionists. | Analysts say support for Vox has been boosted by widespread anger at the independence drive. The party fervently opposes any concessions to the secessionists. |
Women's rights have also been a key campaigning topic. Gender-based violence has provoked debate and street protests across Spain for years and more politicians than ever are courting women's votes. | Women's rights have also been a key campaigning topic. Gender-based violence has provoked debate and street protests across Spain for years and more politicians than ever are courting women's votes. |
Vox, however, has spoken out against what it calls "radical feminism", saying that it "criminalises" men. | |
Where do the parties stand on key issues? | Where do the parties stand on key issues? |
What are the candidates saying? | What are the candidates saying? |
Speaking after casting his vote at a polling station near Madrid, Prime Minister Sánchez said he hoped for stability. | Speaking after casting his vote at a polling station near Madrid, Prime Minister Sánchez said he hoped for stability. |
"After many years of instability and uncertainty, it's important that today we send a clear, defined message about the Spain we want. And from there a broad parliamentary majority must be built that can support a stable government," he told reporters. | "After many years of instability and uncertainty, it's important that today we send a clear, defined message about the Spain we want. And from there a broad parliamentary majority must be built that can support a stable government," he told reporters. |
Meanwhile, Albert Rivera, leader of the centre-right Ciudadanos, renewed calls to oust Mr Sánchez as he cast his vote in Barcelona. | Meanwhile, Albert Rivera, leader of the centre-right Ciudadanos, renewed calls to oust Mr Sánchez as he cast his vote in Barcelona. |
"These are not any normal elections. At stake is whether we want to remain united, if we want to continue being free and equal citizens, if we want a Spain that looks to the past or the future, a country of extremes or of moderation," he said. | "These are not any normal elections. At stake is whether we want to remain united, if we want to continue being free and equal citizens, if we want a Spain that looks to the past or the future, a country of extremes or of moderation," he said. |
Pablo Casado, who took over the leadership of the conservative Popular Party after it was dumped from power in a no-confidence vote in May 2018, said he wanted to see a "stable government" to avoid the "failed legislatures" of the past two years. | Pablo Casado, who took over the leadership of the conservative Popular Party after it was dumped from power in a no-confidence vote in May 2018, said he wanted to see a "stable government" to avoid the "failed legislatures" of the past two years. |
Vox leader Santiago Abascal said many Spaniards were voting "without fear of anything or anyone". | Vox leader Santiago Abascal said many Spaniards were voting "without fear of anything or anyone". |