Spain led by a coalition for the first time in 80 years
Pedro Sanchez has agreed historic deal with anti-austerity group
Spain will be led by a coalition government for the first time in 80 years after the acting prime minister narrowly won a confidence vote in parliament, which opened to the door to him governing with an anti-austerity alliance group.
Yesterday’s vote, which Pedro Sanchez won by 167 votes to 165, with 18 abstentions, ends the nine months of political deadlock resulting from two inconclusive general elections last year.
Sanchez will form a minority government after the vote, described as “dramatic” by the BBC, went 167 to 165 in his favour. Abstentions by Catalan and Basque MPs were crucial to the outcome.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Spanish Socialist Workers’ party, which finished first in both elections last year but short of a majority, has agreed a governing pact with Unidas Podemos.
The main measures agreed between the allies are centred on tax hikes for high-earners and big companies, Reuters says. Others are believed to include a rise in the minimum wage, labour reform, deficit and debt reduction, and the prohibition of prostitution.
Sanchez is expected to be sworn in and appoint his cabinet as early as next Wednesday. However, pundits are already expecting further unrest in the country, predicting that the coalition will threaten Spain’s unity and ultimately fuel rightwing nationalism.
The Times reports that the head of the main opposition centre-right Popular Party, Pablo Casado, called Sanchez a “sociopath” and accused him of forming a “Frankenstein government” made up of “communists” and “separatists” who “want to put an end to Spain”.
Spain, which is the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy has been in political deadlock without a fully functioning government for most of the last 12 months.
Difficult issues which will be immediately facing his government include the question of Catalan independence.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A great culture will be lost if the EV brigade gets its way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What does 'Quiet on the Set' mean for the future of kids' TV?
In the Spotlight A new documentary exposes the 'dark underbelly' of Nickelodeon productions
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
How the biggest election year in history might play out
The Explainer Votes in world's biggest democracies, as well as its most 'despotic' and 'stressed' countries, face threats of violence and suppression
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Good democracies include their poorest citizens. The UK excludes them'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published