SW News: Spain runs the risk of running into a political deadlock after the results of the general election revealed that both the right-wing bloc and the left wing failed to attain the required number of seats to form the government. Although the nationalist, conservative Popular Party came first, it could not muster the 176 seats needed to have an absolute majority in the lower house of parliament.
Although Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist Party came second, it hailed the mandate as a victory as the Left bloc bagged more seats than the Popular Party and its ally Vox. While Sanchez’ bloc got 172 seats, the right wing secured 170.

According to political analyst Veronica Fumanal, “It was a Pyrrhic victory for the Popular Party, which is unable to form a government. I see a deadlock scenario in the parliament.”

As the votes were counted, the Popular Party got 136 seats. Even if it gets the 33 that Vox was gunning for along with one bagged by another member of the alliance, the conservative party would still be shy of the magic number by seven to secure the majority in the lower house.

The Socialists got 122 seats which were two more than what they got in the earlier poll. Even if Sanchez musters the support of coalition partner Sumar and other smaller parties to outnumber the right-wing block in the lower house, they will still be short of the majority by four votes. If Sanchez wishes to retain power, then his bloc will have to seek the support of the Catalan separatist group Junts. But it will be a risky proposition if they seek a referendum in their province.

This election also played spoilsport with the ambition of the Vox party to become a kingmaker and become a part of the ruling coalition. Had it happened, Spain would have witnessed the Far-Right getting a taste of power ever since the days of authoritarian ruler Francisco Franco