Spain's repeat election fails to break deadlockThe far-right Vox party was the biggest winner with 52 seats, more than doubling the 24 it took in its April parliamentary debutMADRID - Spain's Socialists faced tough talks to form a government on Monday after the party emerged on top but weakened from a repeat election which produced an even more divided parliament and propelled far-right Vox into third place. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez triggered the repeat polls -- Spain's fourth in four years -- after his Socialists failed to reach an agreement with other parties to forge a parliamentary majority in April. But his gamble resulted in the party winning just 120 parliamentary seats -- three fewer than in April -- while far-left Podemos party slumped to 35 seats from 42 the last time around. The main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP) recovered from its worst ever showing in April, finishing second with 88 seats, up from 66, while Vox was the biggest winner. "All parties have a rival to their left, another rival to their right, and that blocks strategic options," he added.

Source: Bangkok Post November 11, 2019 11:47 UTC