The Conservative Popular Party (PP) of Spain finds its chances of forming a government slipping away, despite winning the most votes in Sunday’s election. As two small regional parties refuse to lend their support due to concerns over the potential involvement of the far-right Vox party in the cabinet.
Alberto Nuñez Feijóo’s Centre-right Popular Party secured 133 seats in the 350-seat in parliament of Spain. Falling far short of the required 176-seat majority figure needed to form a government.
Feijóo attempted to secure support from other parties, but the numbers are not adding up in his favour. As of Tuesday, he only has the backing of ultra-nationalist Vox, which holds 33 seats. The tiny conservative UPN party with a single seat.
A significant blow to Feijóo’s efforts came when two small conservative parties, the Basque region’s PNV with five seats. The Canary Coalition with one seat, announced that they would not support any government that includes Vox party members.
As the chances for the PP diminish, attention has shifted towards the radical Catalan secessionist party, Junts (Together). There is speculation whether Junts might abstain if acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez seeks parliamentary support to form another leftist coalition government. Sánchez’s previous government relied on support from various small groups over the past four years. But Junts was never included in the coalition.
Sánchez’s Socialist party and leftist Sumar ally currently hold 153 seats combined and are eager to form a government should Feijóo’s efforts fail.
The 350 newly-elected lawmakers are set to take their seats on August 17th. They will have three months to vote for a new prime minister. If no consensus is reached within this timeframe, a new election would be called.
As Spain’s political landscape remains uncertain, all parties are engaged in complex negotiations to form a stable government. That can effectively address the nation’s challenges and move forward with its legislative agenda.
