Sense of deja-vu grips Spain

The centre-right People’s Party (PP) of acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy may have won the country’s parliamentary election, but a sense of deja-vu is gripping Spain.

Despite coming out in the lead, the PP is short of a majority – meaning the election has failed the break the six months of deadlock that have gripped Spain since the initial inconclusive election last December.

The Socialists (PSOE) finished in second place, followed by the left-wing Podemos alliance and the centre-right Ciudadanos.

In numbers

The 350-seat parliament is divided up as follows:

• PP -137
• PSOE – 85
• Unidos Podemos – 71
• Ciudadanos – 32

  What they are saying

People in Spain have mixed feelings:

“I am sad that the turnout has not been strong because the elections are something that should concern us all. I think it is sad for the country that not many people turned out to vote”, said one man.

“I am very happy because the Popular Party guarantees unity for Spain. That is why the Venezuelans living here – who had to flee the Chavez government – voted for them, because it will not lead to the destruction of a beautiful country like Spain”, said a woman from Venezuela.

“ I remember one candidate once said that he wanted fear to switch sides in Spain. Today, Spain has proved that we don’t want different sides or fear. For me, this is the reward for the parties that brought us democracy and built up the welfare state. I really wish that the Popular Party and the Socialist Party would join forces make a better Spain, stronger and with less misery,” said another man, anticipating coalition talks rather than the formation of a minority government.

Others say the UK’s decision to leave the EU has influenced voters in Spain:

“The situation in the UK has influenced things a lot, because people have seen that the extremism doesn’t work. Then people have voted for the Popular Party.”

Some think the PP might benefit from having a different leader, rather than Mariano Rajoy:

“If its really necessary to form a new government, then yes they should do it”

Euronews correspondent Carlos Marlasca:

“Neither the sabotage attempt tonight, nor the arrival of new political forces, not even the numerous corruption cases that have affected the PP during this last term have made a difference. Mariano Rajoy is the only leader that has come out stronger in these elections and now we will have to wait for the negotiations and see what they bring. All his rivals refuse the idea of supporting his bid to be Prime Minister again.”