Spain moves a step closer to ending political deadlock

Series Title
Series Details 17.08.16
Publication Date 17/08/2016
Content Type

Report on developments in August and early September 2016 in Spain to create a new government following a second inconclusive general election in the country in June 2016.

News sources reported that Spain's acting ruling Popular Party (PP) and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy agreed on the 17 August 2016 to negotiate with the new party Ciudadanos to try and form a government, just days after the centrist grouping had set a series of anti-corruption demands as a condition to start talks.

On the next day, Mr Rajoy met with Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera and agreed to the conditions and to negotiate to attempt to form a coalition government.

Subsequently, a bad-tempered debate and investiture vote took place, following a debate in parliament on the 30-31 August 2016. Mr Rajoy failed to get enough votes on the 31 August 2016 to be able to form a government.

A second vote on the 2 September 2016 too place, in which a simple majority would have been sufficient. In the event, the vote had 170 deputies supporting Mr Rajoy and 180 voting against him.

There was an increasing sense that there would have to be a third general election, probably to be held on the 25 December 2016.

Source Link http://www.thelocal.es/20160817/spain-politics-rajoy-deadlock
Related Links
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ESO: Key Source: Spanish general election, 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/spanish-general-election-2016/
El Pais, 17.08.16: Acting PM on course to accept six requirements of Ciudadanos party http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/08/17/inenglish/1471422083_174428.html
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