Spain’s ruling conservatives win election but lose grip on majority

Popular Party (PP) of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy faces battle to cling to power as result heralds end of bi-party politics

Spain faces weeks of talks to form a coalition government after the ruling conservatives won the country's general election on Sunday without a clear majority.

Despite garnering the most votes, the centre-right People's Party (PP) had its worst result ever in a general election as Spaniards angered by high-level corruption cases and soaring unemployment turned away from the party in droves.

Undeterred, incumbent prime minister and PP leader Mariano Rajoy said late on Sunday in Madrid he would strive to form a government, standing on top of a tall, blue podium marked "Gracias" ("Thank you") and speaking down to cheering supporters.

"Spain needs a government that has the support of parliament," the 60-year old said.

Both of Spain’s traditional parties lost ground to their newer rivals, the anti-austerity Podemos and the centrist Ciudadanos (Citizens), both of which have promised to clean up Spanish politics of endemic corruption.

Official results showed the PP obtained 123 seats – 63 less than in 2011 – with 28.7 per cent of the votes.

The PSOE followed with 90 seats and 22 per cent of the vote.

Formed less than two years ago and led by pony-tailed politics lecturer Pablo Iglesias, Podemos and its regional allies won 69 seats with more than 20 per cent of the vote.

Ciudadanos, running nationwide in a general election for the first time, fell short of the expectations generated by opinion polls during recent weeks, picking up 40 seats and 14 per cent of the vote.

The results mean even if left-wing and right-wing parties group together – the Socialists with Podemos or PP with Ciudadanos – neither would be able to govern with an absolute majority.

Podemos (We Can) party leader Pablo Iglesias (2nd R) reacts with party members after results were announced in Spain's general election in Madrid Photo: REUTERS

The showing for Mr Rajoy was a far cry from the 45 per cent that gave the PP a majority in 2011, making it far from clear on Sunday that he would be able to muster sufficient support to stay in power.

The fact that none of the four main parties have expressed any clear willingness to reach coalition deals will spark concern abroad that Spain is entering a period of political instability, just as the country’s economy had started to fire again.

Even if left-wing and right-wing parties group together – the Socialists with Podemos or PP with Ciudadanos – neither would be able to govern with an absolute majority.