Acting PM's party boosted in regional elections in Spain
Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservatives maintained their absolute majority in Galicia and limited their losses in the Basque country in regional elections on Sunday, according to partial official results.
The results boost Rajoy's bid to form a new government at national level and end lasting political paralysis following inconclusive elections in December and June in the eurozone's fourth largest economy.
Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) renewed its absolute majority in his home region of Galicia, winning 41 out of 75 seats in the regional parliament -- equal to its share in the outgoing assembly -- with over 70 percent of ballots counted.
In the Basque country in northern Spain, the PP came in fifth with nine seats in the 75-seat assembly, down one seat, according to results after 99 percent of the ballots had been counted.
The Socialist Party suffered heavy losses in both regions.
In Galicia it tied for second place with the En Marea coalition which includes anti-austerity party Podemos, while in the Basque Country it came in fourth place behind Podemos.
The moderate nationalist PNV party was once again the most-supported party in the Basque region, winning 28 seats, but without an absolute majority.
The Socialists' poor showing in both regions follow bad results in December's general election and again in the June repeat vote.
It is expected to increase pressure on Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez to allow Rajoy to form a new government at the national level.
The Socialists had voted against a Rajoy-led government in a parliamentary vote of confidence earlier this month, and is attempting to negotiate a left-wing coalition alternative with arch-rival Podemos.
But a weak result could put an end to this, either forcing Sanchez out or pressuring him into allowing the rightwing coalition government through by abstaining in another vote of confidence.
The PP, in power at the national level since 2011, won the December and June polls but lost its absolute majority and has so far been unable to cobble together support for a new government.
Parliament has until October 31 to produce a government or face an unprecedented third general election.