Sunday

1st Oct 2023

Spain set for new election in June

  • Socialist leader Sanchez addressing the parliament he hopes dominate after fresh elections (Photo: PSOE)

Spain is set for snap elections after a last push to form a government failed when King Felipe VI acknowledged on Tuesday (26 Tuesday) that none of the country’s political parties had enough support to govern.

The king had held final consultations over two days with leaders of the centre-right Popular Party, the centre-left Socialist Party, the far-left Podemos party and the business-friendly Ciudadanos party before a 2 May deadline for forming a government.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

King Felipe later issued a statement saying he would not propose another candidate to be prime minister to parliament.

Months of negotiations failed as the parties could not agree on a coalition to rule the 350-member lower house.

The polls are now likely to take place on 26 June, six months after the last election that shook up Spain’s political landscape by failing to return a clear winner.

It was the first time in Spain’s history that a coalition needed to be formed.

For decades, either the Popular Party or the Socialists have formed a majority government.

But corruption scandals, disillusionment with the ruling elite, unemployment and continued austerity cuts helped to boost support for new parties.

After the 20 December election, Podemos and Ciudadanos came in third and fourth.

Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez struck a deal with centrist newcomer Ciudadanos, but failed to enlist Podemos to form a coalition.

Sanchez refused offers to set up a grand coalition with prime minister Mariano Rajoy, whose Popular Party won the most seats in the December poll.

Rajoy has been counting on a new election to give him more seats, making the formation of a government easier.

Polls however suggest that a repeat election, the first in Spain since democracy was restored in the 1970s, is unlikely to break the stalemate, with parties expected to perform similarly to earlier results.

Polls predict that the Popular Party will take most seats again, but still not enough to form a majority government.

Spain ends two-party system, coalition talks ahead

Rajoy's centre-right PP came out of the election as largest party, but faces a difficult search for coalition partners. Anti-austerity newcomer Podemos bursts onto political scene.

Spain's Sanchez likely to fail in PM bid

Spain seems to be heading for new elections, as socialist leader Pedro Sanchez looks unlikely to obtain a majority in parliament in upcoming investiture votes

Spain's Podemos sees a clear path to power

The anti-austerity party could finish second in the 26 June general election. Its leader Pablo Iglesias is beginning to believe he could be prime minister in a left-wing coalition.

Spanish election goes Venezuelan

The crisis in Venezuela has become central to the June election campaign, with radical-left Podemos being accused of being too close to the Chavist government.

Opinion

How do you make embarrassing EU documents 'disappear'?

The EU Commission's new magic formula for avoiding scrutiny is simple. You declare the documents in question to be "short-lived correspondence for a preliminary exchange of views" and thus exempt them from being logged in the official inventory.

Column

Will Poles vote for the end of democracy?

International media must make clear that these are not fair, democratic elections. The flawed race should be the story at least as much as the race itself.

Latest News

  1. EU women promised new dawn under anti-violence pact
  2. Three steps EU can take to halt Azerbaijan's mafia-style bullying
  3. Punish Belarus too for aiding Putin's Ukraine war
  4. Added-value for Russia diamond ban, as G7 and EU prepare sanctions
  5. EU states to agree on asylum crisis bill, say EU officials
  6. Poland's culture of fear after three years of abortion 'ban'
  7. Time for a reset: EU regional funding needs overhauling
  8. Germany tightens police checks on Czech and Polish border

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersThe Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
  2. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators, industry & healthcare experts at the 24th IMDRF session, September 25-26, Berlin. Register by 20 Sept to join in person or online.
  3. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  4. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
  5. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators & industry experts at the 24th IMDRF session- Berlin September 25-26. Register early for discounted hotel rates
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersGlobal interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us