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| Spain election: socialist party PSOE declared winner – live updates | Spain election: socialist party PSOE declared winner – live updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| We are about to close the live blog. Here are the most important developments from Sunday’s general election in Spain. | |
| Socialist PSOE party wins general election | |
| With more than 99% of votes counted, the socialist PSOE party has won Spain’s 2019 general election and looks set to enter negotiations with Podemos to form a left-wing coalition government with prime minister Pedro Sanchez as leader. PSOE won 123 of the 350 seats in parliament. | |
| Far-right surges on terrible night for mainstream conservatives | |
| Sunday’s vote was a humiliation for the People’s party (PP), the traditional conservative party of government in Spain, as the anti-feminist, anti-immigration Vox party won 24 seats in parliament, the most significant victory by a far-right party since the end of Franco’s dictatorship. PP’s leader Pablo Casado admitted the election results were “very bad” after the number of seats in parliament held by his party more than halved from 137 in 2016’s vote to just 66. | |
| Catalan independence could slip off political agenda | |
| It is too early to assert with certainty, but prime minister Pedro Sanchez could be free to form a government without relying on the backing of the Catalan separatists who demand an independence vote as the price for their support. The issue collapsed his government at the start of this year and caused Sunday’s election, but the a Catalan independence vote could slip off the political agenda if no party in the ruling coalition supports it. | |
| Spanish general election 2019: full results | |
| Thanks for following along. Have a peaceful evening. | |
| It’s a completely different scene where the People’s party (PP) leader Pablo Casado is addressing his supporters. The mainstream conservative party has been humiliated tonight, winning just 66 seats in parliament, compared to the 137 they won in 2016. | It’s a completely different scene where the People’s party (PP) leader Pablo Casado is addressing his supporters. The mainstream conservative party has been humiliated tonight, winning just 66 seats in parliament, compared to the 137 they won in 2016. |
| While the PP will remain the official opposition party, Casado admitted it has been a “very bad” general election result and confirmed he had called the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, to congratulate the PSOE on its victory. | |
| The leaders of the socialist PSOE, the People’s party and the Citizens party are addressing their supporters right now. | |
| The outrageously handsome Pedro Sánchez, who is surely destined to continue as Spain’s prime minister, is in a celebratory mood after the PSOE won Sunday’s general election. Sanchez has assured the crowd that his party will govern Spain. His supporters are chanting “¡Viva España y viva el socialismo!” | |
| Spain’s government spokeswoman has declared the socialist PSOE party the winner of Sunday’s general election, with more than 97% of votes counted. | Spain’s government spokeswoman has declared the socialist PSOE party the winner of Sunday’s general election, with more than 97% of votes counted. |
| The result means that prime minister Pedro Sánchez can enter negotiations to form a governing coalition with Podemos, led by Pablo Iglesias. The 165-seat alliance in parliament would still leave the leftwing bloc short of a majority but the government should be able to rely on the support of Basque nationalists and independent MPs. | The result means that prime minister Pedro Sánchez can enter negotiations to form a governing coalition with Podemos, led by Pablo Iglesias. The 165-seat alliance in parliament would still leave the leftwing bloc short of a majority but the government should be able to rely on the support of Basque nationalists and independent MPs. |
| Government spokeswoman Isabel Celaá said PSOE received nearly 7m votes. | Government spokeswoman Isabel Celaá said PSOE received nearly 7m votes. |
| Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias is addressing his supporters and the media, and the former university lecturer has the face of someone who knows they are going into government. Iglesias said that his party is open to forming a leftwing coalition with prime minister Pedro Sánchez’s socialist PSOE party and urged his supporters to be patient. Podemos was born from the indignados movement and the fury over corruption and austerity, and has reshaped Spanish politics. | Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias is addressing his supporters and the media, and the former university lecturer has the face of someone who knows they are going into government. Iglesias said that his party is open to forming a leftwing coalition with prime minister Pedro Sánchez’s socialist PSOE party and urged his supporters to be patient. Podemos was born from the indignados movement and the fury over corruption and austerity, and has reshaped Spanish politics. |
| The Vox leader, Santiago Abascal, has just delivered a passionate speech to supporters in Madrid with his far-right, anti-immigration, anti-feminist party projected to win 24 seats with 96% of votes counted. When polls closed, it appeared Vox might win nearly 40 seats, but those projections have not materialised. | The Vox leader, Santiago Abascal, has just delivered a passionate speech to supporters in Madrid with his far-right, anti-immigration, anti-feminist party projected to win 24 seats with 96% of votes counted. When polls closed, it appeared Vox might win nearly 40 seats, but those projections have not materialised. |
| Abascal hit out at the traditional rightwing People’s party (PP), which has been humiliated in Sunday’s vote, blaming it for not being able to effectively oppose Spain’s leftwing bloc. | Abascal hit out at the traditional rightwing People’s party (PP), which has been humiliated in Sunday’s vote, blaming it for not being able to effectively oppose Spain’s leftwing bloc. |
| Sunderland South, are you watching? Less than two hours after polls closed on the Spanish mainland, more than 90% of votes have been counted. The seat share in parliament looks pretty steady with over 24m votes counted. The socialist PSOE have won 122 of 350 seats, the mainstream conservative People’s party 65, the Citizen’s party 57, Podemos 35 and the far-right Vox party 24. | Sunderland South, are you watching? Less than two hours after polls closed on the Spanish mainland, more than 90% of votes have been counted. The seat share in parliament looks pretty steady with over 24m votes counted. The socialist PSOE have won 122 of 350 seats, the mainstream conservative People’s party 65, the Citizen’s party 57, Podemos 35 and the far-right Vox party 24. |
| Datos ya al 90%: el PSOE cede el escaño de Navarra y se queda en 122 https://t.co/5whqxzwsJ1 pic.twitter.com/kb5FdW73lm | Datos ya al 90%: el PSOE cede el escaño de Navarra y se queda en 122 https://t.co/5whqxzwsJ1 pic.twitter.com/kb5FdW73lm |
| For those who have been following all evening, the anti-bullfighting party, Pacma, has failed to win a seat despite winning over 1% of the vote. | For those who have been following all evening, the anti-bullfighting party, Pacma, has failed to win a seat despite winning over 1% of the vote. |
| With nearly 90% of votes counted, it seems certain that Pedro Sánchez’s socialist party will be able to govern without the support of the Catalan nationalists that brought down his previous administration, leaving the pro-independence movement with a voice in parliament but little leverage. Sánchez should be able to reply on support from the Basque parties and independents to get the majority he needs in parliament. | With nearly 90% of votes counted, it seems certain that Pedro Sánchez’s socialist party will be able to govern without the support of the Catalan nationalists that brought down his previous administration, leaving the pro-independence movement with a voice in parliament but little leverage. Sánchez should be able to reply on support from the Basque parties and independents to get the majority he needs in parliament. |
| In Catalonia itself, the story has been the rise of the Republican Left (ERC) led by Oriol Junqueras, currently on trial for his role in the illegal unilateral declaration of independence in 2017, at the expense of Together for Catalonia, the party of former president Carles Puigdemont. ERC even overtook Puigdemont in Girona, his heartland in the north of the region. | In Catalonia itself, the story has been the rise of the Republican Left (ERC) led by Oriol Junqueras, currently on trial for his role in the illegal unilateral declaration of independence in 2017, at the expense of Together for Catalonia, the party of former president Carles Puigdemont. ERC even overtook Puigdemont in Girona, his heartland in the north of the region. |
| While Junqueras has taken a conciliatory line with Madrid of late, Puigdemont has continued to seek confrontation and it seems that voters have wearied of this approach. As well as supporting ERC, there has been a significant swing towards the socialists, especially in the Barcelona region, suggesting that voters want to focus on social issues rather than questions of sovereignty. | While Junqueras has taken a conciliatory line with Madrid of late, Puigdemont has continued to seek confrontation and it seems that voters have wearied of this approach. As well as supporting ERC, there has been a significant swing towards the socialists, especially in the Barcelona region, suggesting that voters want to focus on social issues rather than questions of sovereignty. |
| Junqueras said he was prepared to support a Sánchez government if it agreed in principle to a referendum on independence, something the socialist leader said he would never do. As things stand, he won’t need Junqueras and the Catalan issue looks set to lose its place at the centre of the national debate. | Junqueras said he was prepared to support a Sánchez government if it agreed in principle to a referendum on independence, something the socialist leader said he would never do. As things stand, he won’t need Junqueras and the Catalan issue looks set to lose its place at the centre of the national debate. |
| Vox might be disappointed with the 24 seats it is projected to win with more than 80% of votes counted, but Sunday’s election is still a storming victory for the far-right party formed by disgruntled members of the mainstream conservative People’s party, which has been humiliated in today’s vote. | Vox might be disappointed with the 24 seats it is projected to win with more than 80% of votes counted, but Sunday’s election is still a storming victory for the far-right party formed by disgruntled members of the mainstream conservative People’s party, which has been humiliated in today’s vote. |
| How the far right gained a foothold in Spain | How the far right gained a foothold in Spain |
| But who are Vox? The Guardian’s Madrid correspondent Sam Jones has written an explainer about the end of Spain’s supposed immunity to far-right parties. Click on the link below to read about the anti-feminist, anti-immigration party calling for a “reconquest” of Spain. | But who are Vox? The Guardian’s Madrid correspondent Sam Jones has written an explainer about the end of Spain’s supposed immunity to far-right parties. Click on the link below to read about the anti-feminist, anti-immigration party calling for a “reconquest” of Spain. |
| One thing is clear already: Pablo Casado will not be the next prime minister of Spain. His People’s party party (PP) have had a terrible night. With more than 75% of votes counted and a turnout of over three quarters of eligible Spanish adults, PP’s number of seats in parliament looks set to more than halve, falling from 137 to 65. | One thing is clear already: Pablo Casado will not be the next prime minister of Spain. His People’s party party (PP) have had a terrible night. With more than 75% of votes counted and a turnout of over three quarters of eligible Spanish adults, PP’s number of seats in parliament looks set to more than halve, falling from 137 to 65. |
| Casado said he would not step down as PP leader if they were punished at the ballot box. | Casado said he would not step down as PP leader if they were punished at the ballot box. |
| It’s all gone a bit quiet in Margaret Thatcher plaza in Madrid, where Vox supports have been watching the election results trickle in. Polls released immediately after voting closed indicated that the anti-feminist, anti-immigration party would win as many as 38 seats in parliament. But with two thirds of votes counted, Vox are on track to win nearly half of that, with 23 seats. That’s still 23 more than they had before tonight’s vote, but fewer than hoped. | It’s all gone a bit quiet in Margaret Thatcher plaza in Madrid, where Vox supports have been watching the election results trickle in. Polls released immediately after voting closed indicated that the anti-feminist, anti-immigration party would win as many as 38 seats in parliament. But with two thirds of votes counted, Vox are on track to win nearly half of that, with 23 seats. That’s still 23 more than they had before tonight’s vote, but fewer than hoped. |
| Silencio y rostros serios entre los simpatizantes de #Vox los primeros datos del recuento enfrían el entusiasmo de la campaña pic.twitter.com/Cw50OJ8Cg3 | Silencio y rostros serios entre los simpatizantes de #Vox los primeros datos del recuento enfrían el entusiasmo de la campaña pic.twitter.com/Cw50OJ8Cg3 |
| As the sociologist Jorge Galindo points out, Vox might be entering parliament, but it is already clear that the far-right party does so below its own expectations and at modest levels compared to other European countries. | As the sociologist Jorge Galindo points out, Vox might be entering parliament, but it is already clear that the far-right party does so below its own expectations and at modest levels compared to other European countries. |
| Con más de la mitad de los votos contados, VOX sigue en un 10% y 23 diputados. Sí, la extrema derecha entra en el Congreso. Pero ya está claro que lo hace bastante por debajo de sus propias expectativas, y en niveles modestos comparados con otros países europeos. #28A | Con más de la mitad de los votos contados, VOX sigue en un 10% y 23 diputados. Sí, la extrema derecha entra en el Congreso. Pero ya está claro que lo hace bastante por debajo de sus propias expectativas, y en niveles modestos comparados con otros países europeos. #28A |
| One party to look out for is the animal rights group Pacma, founded 16 years ago to put an end to bullfighting in Spain. The party was on track to win a couple of seats in Friday’s polling, but despite winning just over 1% of votes so far, it looks set to miss out on a seat in parliament. | One party to look out for is the animal rights group Pacma, founded 16 years ago to put an end to bullfighting in Spain. The party was on track to win a couple of seats in Friday’s polling, but despite winning just over 1% of votes so far, it looks set to miss out on a seat in parliament. |
| Anti-bullfighting party set for Spanish election breakthrough | Anti-bullfighting party set for Spanish election breakthrough |
| Who said democracy was dying in Europe? Three-quarters of Spaniards eligible to vote did so on Sunday, according to the country’s interior ministry. | Who said democracy was dying in Europe? Three-quarters of Spaniards eligible to vote did so on Sunday, according to the country’s interior ministry. |
| With more than 11 million votes counted, PSOE are projected to get 129 seats, PP 67, Citizens 54 and Podemos 32. The far-right party Vox received strong support in polling before Sunday’s vote, but that has not materialised into as many votes as they had hoped. The anti-immigration, anti-feminist, anti-Catalan party is projected to win 23 seats in the Spanish parliament. | With more than 11 million votes counted, PSOE are projected to get 129 seats, PP 67, Citizens 54 and Podemos 32. The far-right party Vox received strong support in polling before Sunday’s vote, but that has not materialised into as many votes as they had hoped. The anti-immigration, anti-feminist, anti-Catalan party is projected to win 23 seats in the Spanish parliament. |
| With 26.25% of votes counted, it appears that Sunday’s general election could be the worst in electoral history for the conservative People’s party (PP). In 2016, PP led by Mariano Rajoy won 137 seats, which looks set to more than halve with 66 in 2019. | With 26.25% of votes counted, it appears that Sunday’s general election could be the worst in electoral history for the conservative People’s party (PP). In 2016, PP led by Mariano Rajoy won 137 seats, which looks set to more than halve with 66 in 2019. |
| Mariano Rajoy to step down as leader of People’s party | Mariano Rajoy to step down as leader of People’s party |
| Rajoy stepped down as leader of the People’s party (PP) in June 2018 after being ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote called amid anger over corruption within the party. | Rajoy stepped down as leader of the People’s party (PP) in June 2018 after being ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote called amid anger over corruption within the party. |
| Spanish media show scores as votes are being counted. #28A So far confirm expectations of: 1. Big victory for PSOE2. Massive loss for PP3. Big loss Podemos4. Stagnation Cs5. Big win Vox6. Significant fragmentation7. No right-wing coalition8 Nationalists are kingmakers pic.twitter.com/UXzM1BKcfP | Spanish media show scores as votes are being counted. #28A So far confirm expectations of: 1. Big victory for PSOE2. Massive loss for PP3. Big loss Podemos4. Stagnation Cs5. Big win Vox6. Significant fragmentation7. No right-wing coalition8 Nationalists are kingmakers pic.twitter.com/UXzM1BKcfP |
| Ok, we’ve some something official. There’s been a huge general election turnout in Spain, with nearly three in four eligible adults voting. So far 10.56% of votes have been counted and the socialist PSOE party are projected to win 128 seats, the People’s party 65, and Citizens 47. The official results are projecting a much smaller number of seats for Vox at just 22, compared to some projections of 36-38. | Ok, we’ve some something official. There’s been a huge general election turnout in Spain, with nearly three in four eligible adults voting. So far 10.56% of votes have been counted and the socialist PSOE party are projected to win 128 seats, the People’s party 65, and Citizens 47. The official results are projecting a much smaller number of seats for Vox at just 22, compared to some projections of 36-38. |
| Here’s how the final opinion poll works out in parliament, with the socialist PSOE party as the largest in government and a collapse in support for the conservative People’s party (PP). | Here’s how the final opinion poll works out in parliament, with the socialist PSOE party as the largest in government and a collapse in support for the conservative People’s party (PP). |
| But political risk specialist Antonio Barroso thinks the election results might exacerbate polarisation if they materialise. | But political risk specialist Antonio Barroso thinks the election results might exacerbate polarisation if they materialise. |
| Don’t know if these numbers will materialize, but if they do, the results might exacerbate polarization (high fragmentation in the right leading to outbidding + PSOE potentially needing support of secessionist parties) https://t.co/WzjqnUXI44 | Don’t know if these numbers will materialize, but if they do, the results might exacerbate polarization (high fragmentation in the right leading to outbidding + PSOE potentially needing support of secessionist parties) https://t.co/WzjqnUXI44 |
| Despite this warning, prime minister Pedro Sanchez’s party are expecting a good night. | Despite this warning, prime minister Pedro Sanchez’s party are expecting a good night. |
| El PSOE espera una "buena noche". @Adrilastra: "Probablemente esta sea una buena noche para este gran partido de 140 años de historia" | El PSOE espera una "buena noche". @Adrilastra: "Probablemente esta sea una buena noche para este gran partido de 140 años de historia" |
| This is an important point from journalist Matthew Bennett. The forecasts are not exit polls and there will be no official data until polls close in the Canary Islands in five minutes. | This is an important point from journalist Matthew Bennett. The forecasts are not exit polls and there will be no official data until polls close in the Canary Islands in five minutes. |
| TV full of talking heads making forecasts based on the not-exit polls. No real results yet. | TV full of talking heads making forecasts based on the not-exit polls. No real results yet. |
| If the forecasts are right, Junts per Catalunya, led by former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, has been rejected by Catalan voters in favour of the more conciliatory Republican Left led by Oriol Junqueras, currently on trial for his part in the illegal declaration of independence in 2017, with 14 seats to Puigdemont’s five. | If the forecasts are right, Junts per Catalunya, led by former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont, has been rejected by Catalan voters in favour of the more conciliatory Republican Left led by Oriol Junqueras, currently on trial for his part in the illegal declaration of independence in 2017, with 14 seats to Puigdemont’s five. |