It is not clear how the unprecedented situation in the country's modern history could be resolved if this second election is inconclusive.
ADVERTISEMENT- Fresh election “unlikely” to end political deadlock
- More likely to abstain
- “Union of the left could prove uncomfortable for the PSOE
The pain in Spain
Research suggests a fresh election due to be held in Spain on June 26 is unlikely to break the political stalemate to form a government.
A previous vote in December produced the most fragmented result in decades.
Metroscopia poll
- Published by El Pais newspaper
- 1,200 polled between April 26-28
- People’s Party (PP) – 29% of votes (up from 28.7% in December)
- Socialists (PSOE) – 20.3% (down from 22)
- Podemos – 18.1% (down from 20.7)
- Ciudadanos – 16.9 (up from 13.9)
11 provincias clave para el 26-J, según un estudio de Metroscopia https://t.co/HFj12DhPwq Por
— EL PAÍS (@el_pais) May 2, 2016JuanJoseMateo</a> y <a href="https://twitter.com/jorgegarcia_es">jorgegarcia_es
Los vetos son malos para la democracia. El
PPopular</a> apuesta por sumar y pactar con los españoles <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2demayo?src=hash">#2demayo</a><a href="https://t.co/rArITcuwAp">https://t.co/rArITcuwAp</a></p>— Mariano Rajoy Brey (marianorajoy) May 2, 2016
El adversario del PSOE son la desigualdad, la corrupción y la falta de oportunidades
sanchezcastejon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GanarAlPP?src=hash">#GanarAlPP</a> <a href="https://t.co/XOR0gXqKmE">https://t.co/XOR0gXqKmE</a></p>— PSOE (PSOE) April 30, 2016
Observers say the tiny variations in percentages from December are unlikely to translate into major changes in seats.
At least three parties are needed to obtain a majority.
Abstention rate
Four months of political bickering and failure to form a government are likely to boost abstention rates.
Around 30% say they plan to abstain, compared to 26.8% in December.
The situation could also play in favour of the two traditionally-dominant parties, the PP and the PSOE.
Podemos and Ciudadanos are still seen as lacking a strong enough structure to mobilise voters in many rural areas.
A union on the Left?
AVANCE | La suma de
— EL PAÍS (@el_pais) April 30, 2016ahorapodemos</a> e <a href="https://twitter.com/iunida">iunida arrebata alPSOE</a> el liderazgo de la izquierda, según <a href="https://twitter.com/metroscopia">metroscopiahttps://t.co/gpgta0AZXP
It was announced last week that Podemos is considering running on a joint platform with the far-left party, Izquierda Unida.
A combination of the two would capture 22.3% of the vote, overtaking the PSOE as Spain’s main left-wing party.
ADVERTISEMENTExperts say this could put the Socialists in the uneasy position of having to choose between being the junior coalition partner in a left-wing government or going into a grand coalition with the centre-right PP.