Spain's Socialist party voted Sunday to stop blocking the conservative Popular Party from forming a minority government, setting the stage to end the country's nearly 10-month political impasse. His Popular Party won both elections, but not enough seats to form a majority in Parliament. The Socialist party remained bitterly divided on the issue. Miquel Iceta, the leader of the party's Catalan faction, has said its seven deputies will vote against Rajoy despite the committee's plans. The newcomer leftist Podemos party has said it hopes to profit from the Socialists' surrender to become the leading opposition party.

Source: ABC News October 23, 2016 09:07 UTC