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Spanish elections: Socialists lead amid right-wing surge Spanish elections: Socialists lead amid right-wing surge
(32 minutes later)
The governing Socialist Party in Spain looks set to win the most seats in the general election, but fall short of a majority as the first results come in. The governing Socialist Party in Spain looks set to win the most seats in the general election, but fall short of a majority with almost all results in.
With more than 75% of the votes counted, the opposition conservative Popular Party follows in second place, and the far-right Vox party appears to have heavily increased its vote share. With more than 85% of the votes counted, the opposition conservative Popular Party follows in second place, and the far-right Vox party appears to have heavily increased its vote share.
Right-wing parties have the most votes combined, though no majority.Right-wing parties have the most votes combined, though no majority.
Spain has not had a stable government since 2015.Spain has not had a stable government since 2015.
This was the country's fourth election in as many years.This was the country's fourth election in as many years.
Voter turnout at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) was 56.8%, almost four points lower than the last general elections in April. Voter turnout at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) was 56.8%, almost four points lower than at the last general election in April.
Spanish politics has become increasingly fragmented in recent years with the emergence of new parties.Spanish politics has become increasingly fragmented in recent years with the emergence of new parties.
What could the results mean? What are the results so far?
Based on earlier projections by public broadcaster RTVE, both the Socialists and Podemos have lost seats compared to the April elections. Partial results show the Socialists (PSOE) winning 121 of the parliament's 350 seats, while Vox had 53 seats, more than double the number the party had in the outgoing assembly.
The Popular Party (PP) is in second place with 86, up from 66 in the previous poll.
This would mean that both the PSOE and the PP could struggle to form a coalition government without involving smaller parties - as 176 seats are required for a majority.
That election ended in deadlock and the two parties failed to form a coalition together by the September deadline which forced Sunday's election.That election ended in deadlock and the two parties failed to form a coalition together by the September deadline which forced Sunday's election.
To form a coalition now, they would need to form alliances with smaller, nationalist parties, analysts suggest.To form a coalition now, they would need to form alliances with smaller, nationalist parties, analysts suggest.
Meanwhile, the Popular Party (PP) and Vox could seek to make the most of their gains, if confirmed. Meanwhile, the PP and Vox could seek to make the most of their gains, if confirmed.
One PP politician said that Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez should "start to think about going", given the results of the RTVE poll, El Pais reports. One PP politician said that Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez should "start to think about going", given the early results.