Spain: sailing in uncharted political waters

By Euronews with Reuters

Published on 21/12/2015 - 17:52

"Historic compromises" ahead

Splintered vote ends decades of two-party domination in Spain
Weeks of coalition talks anticipated
“A new chapter of historic compromises” – Podemos
Socialists will not support Rajoy for PM

Spain is sailing in uncharted political waters following the most fragmented national election in the country’s history.

Neither outgoing Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s PP conservatives nor and of the party’s political challengers won an outright majority in Sunday’s poll.

Spain’s King Felipe VI will talk to all the parties before nominating a candidate for Prime Minister.

There will then be a vote of approval in the hung parliament.

Coalition talks likely to be “long and complex”

Spain faces weeks of uncertainty.

EXCLUSIF. Pablo Iglesias : “Nous constatons la défaite éclatante du social-libéralisme” > https://t.co/jFcGZo0apW pic.twitter.com/8rQbmzWroX
— L'Obs (@lobs) December 21, 2015

Spain's Ciudadanos says will play key role in forming government https://t.co/fshg2wQAJJ pic.twitter.com/ng5AtPz1bm
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) December 21, 2015

Two political newcomers – the anti-austerity “Podemos” (We Can) party and liberal “Ciudadanos” (Citizens) party entered the mainstream for the first time.

The splintered vote also raises the possibility of fresh elections in a short space of time.

DIRECTO TV https://t.co/eX3p9bdOJa César Luena, tajante: “El PSOE le va a votar no a Rajoy” pic.twitter.com/YaIjqMsIYo
— EL PAÍS (@el_pais) December 21, 2015

“The Popular Party needs to try to form a government. It is up to the PP. This is the place we are in and in which we will stay for weeks until the chambers of Parliament are formed and the PP has the initiative. Caution and responsibility are the watchwords. However, I can also tell you that the Socialist Party will vote “no* to Rajoy’s candidacy for Prime Minister.” said Cesar Luena from the Socialist Party.

A look at #Podemos , its origins, roller-coaster short history, and meaning for the future: https://t.co/FtYX8cL0BL pic.twitter.com/RtY3iEJxXz
— openDemocracy (@openDemocracy) December 19, 2015

That sentiment is echoed by the anti-austerity newcomers, Podemos.

“Neither Ciudadanos nor the Socialist Party can count on us to allow Mariano Rajoy to become the Prime Minister again. We will not allow it, neither actively nor passively,” said leader Pablo Iglesias.

Spain's Ciudadanos says will play key role in forming government https://t.co/fshg2wQAJJ pic.twitter.com/ng5AtPz1bm
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) December 21, 2015

Celebrations for the Citizens Party after its first -ever participation in a national election.

Some are calling the party “kingmakers”.

However, analysts are warning an alliance with either the PP or Socialists would still leave the grouping short of an overall majority.