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Spanish election: Five face off in race to run Spain Spanish election: Five face off in race to run Spain
(6 days later)
Voters in Spain are heading to the polls on Sunday for the country's second general election since April - and its fourth in four years. Spain has held another inconclusive general election - its second since April and fourth in four years.
Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose Socialists gained the most seats in the previous ballot, announced the vote in September after failing to secure enough parliamentary support to form a government. Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose Socialists have gained the most seats, announced the vote in September after failing to secure enough parliamentary support to form a government.
After months of fractious negotiations and political turmoil, Spaniards are hoping to break the political gridlock. After months of fractious negotiations and political turmoil, Spaniards had hoped to break the political gridlock.
The main party leaders faced off in a TV debate on Monday night, but Spain's political landscape is fragmented and the latest opinion polls suggest that none of them is likely to win a majority. Here we look at the leaders of the main national political parties and what they represent.
Here we look at the leaders of the main political parties and what they represent.
Pedro Sánchez, 47, is arguably at an advantage in his current position as caretaker prime minister, even though he has never yet won a parliamentary majority.Pedro Sánchez, 47, is arguably at an advantage in his current position as caretaker prime minister, even though he has never yet won a parliamentary majority.
His tenure began with the fall of the conservative Popular Party in a June 2018 no-confidence vote. Since then the Socialist (PSOE) leader has implemented a series of eye-catching measures that appealed to his base, such as raising the minimum wage and appointing a female-dominated cabinet.His tenure began with the fall of the conservative Popular Party in a June 2018 no-confidence vote. Since then the Socialist (PSOE) leader has implemented a series of eye-catching measures that appealed to his base, such as raising the minimum wage and appointing a female-dominated cabinet.
A majority this time would allow him to take on more ambitious, structural reforms; he has talked about plans to overhaul the education system, legalise euthanasia, change labour regulations and shake up national broadcaster RTVE. He wants more ambitious, structural reforms; he has talked about plans to overhaul the education system, legalise euthanasia, change labour regulations and shake up national broadcaster RTVE.
He has also sought to lower tensions with Catalonia, Spain's semi-autonomous north-eastern region whose failed bid for independence in 2017 sparked the country's biggest political crisis for 40 years.He has also sought to lower tensions with Catalonia, Spain's semi-autonomous north-eastern region whose failed bid for independence in 2017 sparked the country's biggest political crisis for 40 years.
Mr Sánchez is opposed to another independence referendum, but has previously recognised Catalonia and the Basque Country to be nations within Spain, not just regions.Mr Sánchez is opposed to another independence referendum, but has previously recognised Catalonia and the Basque Country to be nations within Spain, not just regions.
Elected leader of the Popular Party (PP) in July last year, Pablo Casado's appointment was seen as a shift to the right for Spain's main opposition.Elected leader of the Popular Party (PP) in July last year, Pablo Casado's appointment was seen as a shift to the right for Spain's main opposition.
The 38-year-old, who wants to lower income and corporation taxes for Spaniards in an effort to boost productivity, has called for revisions in the European Union's freedom of movement and border policies.The 38-year-old, who wants to lower income and corporation taxes for Spaniards in an effort to boost productivity, has called for revisions in the European Union's freedom of movement and border policies.
Mr Casado, who previously served as the PP's communications chief, took control of the party after it was implicated in a corruption scandal that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.Mr Casado, who previously served as the PP's communications chief, took control of the party after it was implicated in a corruption scandal that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
He has consistently taken a hardline stance on Catalonian separatists and has previously labelled Mr Sánchez "the biggest villain in Spain's democratic history" for holding talks with Catalan President Quim Torra. He has consistently taken a hardline stance on Catalan separatists and has previously labelled Mr Sánchez "the biggest villain in Spain's democratic history" for holding talks with Catalan President Quim Torra.
Albert Rivera, who turns 40 next week, launched his Ciudadanos (or Citizens) party in 2006 handing out campaign posters in which he appeared naked. A former PP member, Santiago Abascal now leads Vox, a party that has seen its support rapidly grow.
Selling itself as socially liberal, Ciudadanos is committed to free market economics. Although it veered to the right before the April elections it is now pitching for the centre ground. Vox's success was seen as a turning point for the far right, who had not won seats in parliament since the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco in 1975 and the restoration of democracy (with the sole exception of a single seat in the first parliament of 1979-1982).
The party rose to prominence in Catalonia with a campaign against independence. While Mr Abascal rejects the far-right label, the party's views on immigration and Islam place it in line with far-right and populist parties elsewhere in Europe.
More recently, Mr Rivera has said he would have dealt with the Catalan crisis by permanently suspending the region's autonomy and removing Mr Torra from office. Vox has a plan to deport migrants legally entitled to be in Spain if they have committed an offence, and wants to prevent any migrant who comes in illegally from staying.
If he does well on Sunday, he has pledged to help form a government within a month. If not, and Ciudadanos remains in opposition, he said he would play his part to help break the deadlock. The party also wants to repeal laws against gender violence, and opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. Critics see it as a nationalist throwback to the Franco era.
In the run-up to the election, Mr Rivera has been urging younger Spaniards to vote with "enthusiasm". His social media feed has featured videos and messages apparently endorsed by his "secret weapon" - a dog named Lucas. In this post he welcomes the dog as "already part of the Citizens family".
Pablo Iglesias, 41, leads the left-wing Podemos (We Can) party, whose anti-austerity policies focus on investing in public services such as education and health and protecting social rights.Pablo Iglesias, 41, leads the left-wing Podemos (We Can) party, whose anti-austerity policies focus on investing in public services such as education and health and protecting social rights.
He formed Podemos in January 2014 with a group of fellow left-wing university lecturers.He formed Podemos in January 2014 with a group of fellow left-wing university lecturers.
Mr Iglesias was a member of Spain's Communist Youth Union and was part of the anti-globalisation movement in the 1990s. He survived a Podemos confidence vote last May after controversially spending €600,000 (£527,000; $700,000) on a luxury home.Mr Iglesias was a member of Spain's Communist Youth Union and was part of the anti-globalisation movement in the 1990s. He survived a Podemos confidence vote last May after controversially spending €600,000 (£527,000; $700,000) on a luxury home.
Some rank-and-file Podemos members said purchasing the property, which included a swimming pool and guest quarters, undermined the party's grassroots credibility.Some rank-and-file Podemos members said purchasing the property, which included a swimming pool and guest quarters, undermined the party's grassroots credibility.
Ahead of Sunday's election, Mr Iglesias said that he would work with Mr Sánchez to form a government that would focus on progressive policies if no single party secured a majority.Ahead of Sunday's election, Mr Iglesias said that he would work with Mr Sánchez to form a government that would focus on progressive policies if no single party secured a majority.
Along with leading his party, Mr Iglesias presents talk shows on Spanish television and is a lecturer in political science.Along with leading his party, Mr Iglesias presents talk shows on Spanish television and is a lecturer in political science.
A former member of the conservative Popular Party, Santiago Abascal now leads Vox, a party that saw its support surge in April's general election - winning 24 seats in parliament with more than 10% of the vote. Albert Rivera, who turns 40 next week, launched his Ciudadanos (or Citizens) party in 2006 handing out campaign posters in which he appeared naked.
Vox's success was seen as a turning point for the far right, who had not won seats in parliament since the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco in 1975 and the restoration of democracy (with the sole exception of a single seat in the first parliament of 1979-1982). Selling itself as socially liberal, Ciudadanos is committed to free market economics. Although it veered to the right before the April elections it pitched for the centre ground in the November vote and saw its support plummet, coming sixth with fewer seats than Catalonia's pro-independence ERC party.
While Mr Abascal rejects the far-right label, the party's views on immigration and Islam place it in line with far-right and populist parties elsewhere in Europe. Ciudadanos had risen to prominence in Catalonia with a campaign against independence.
Vox has a plan to deport migrants legally entitled to be in Spain if they have committed an offence, and wants to prevent any migrant who comes in illegally from staying. More recently, Mr Rivera has said he would have dealt with the Catalan crisis by permanently suspending the region's autonomy and removing Mr Torra from office.
The party also wants to repeal laws against gender violence, and opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. Critics see it as a nationalist throwback to the Franco era. He has said he will play his part to help break the deadlock.
In the run-up to the election, Mr Rivera urged younger Spaniards to vote with "enthusiasm". His social media feed featured videos and messages apparently endorsed by his "secret weapon" - a dog named Lucas. In this post he welcomes the dog as "already part of the Citizens family".
Seats won in April 2019Seats won in April 2019