#SPAIN: Angry Words, Walk-Out, In Catalan Parliament Over Treatment Of Jailed Independence Activists

[world politics news]

A political debate inside the Catalan parliament descended into a tremendous row over the recent arrests of radical separatists who are facing terrorism charges that include possession of bomb-making materials.

At the most heated session in recent years, politicians supporting the region's independence from Spain led by regional premier Quim Torra began chanting “freedom,” alluding to the seven members of the Committees to Defend the Republic, a grassroots group that has carried out actions such as roadblocks to defend Catalan independence.

After separatism-supporting lawmakers expressed support for the suspects, Carlos Carrizosa, a representative of the non-separatist Ciudadanos (Citizens) Party was expelled from the chamber after repeatedly telling pro-independence parliamentarians that “we feel threatened by those who back terrorism.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SPAIN: Conservatives Take Control Of Andalusia, Formerly A Solid Bastion Of Socialism

[world politics news]

With the backing of the right-leaning Vox Party and center-right Ciudadanos Party, the candidate of Spain's mainstream conservative Popular Party, Juan Manuel Moreno, was invested as the head of the regional government in Andalusia, a former Socialist bastion.The Socialists had ruled Andalusia in the country's deep south for 36 years before last month's regional elections tipped the balance rightwards. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SPAIN:PM Rajoy Wins Support Of Citizens' Pty.; Hopes To Finally Form Gov't Aug. 30

[world politics news]

Spain's acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy will try to persuade Parliament to let him form a government in a debate scheduled to begin Aug. 30. Ana Pastor, the Speaker of Parliament, announced the date after conservative Popular Party leader Rajoy clinched a deal with the smaller Citizens/Ciudadanos Party to support his bid to return to power.

#SPAIN: Acting PM Rajoy Unable To Form Gov't - Again, Third Nat'l Election In 9 Months Looms

[world politics news]

Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy warned on Tuesday that the country may have to hold a third round of elections, after his Socialist rival refused to back his efforts to form a coalition government. Spain's been without a fully functioning government for more than seven months, after the national Dec. 20th election left Rajoy's Popular Party short of an absolute majority in parliament while upstart parties Ciudadanos and Podemos shook up Spain's two-party system.

#SPAIN: Socialists Strike Deal With Centrists, Potentially Ending Post-Election Deadlock

[world politics news]

Spain's Socialist party announced on Wednesday that the centrist Ciudadanos (Citizen's) Party would back their candidate for prime minister, ending weeks of political deadlock since inconclusive elections. Spain has been mired in political deadlock since December elections resulted in a hung parliament split among four main parties - none of which have enough seats to govern alone.

Pictured: Pedro Sánchez, head of the Spanish Socialists, left, and Albert Rivera of the Ciudadanos (Citizen's) Party.

#SPAIN: Conservatives Begin Difficult Task Of Seeking Coalition Partners After Close Election

[world politics news]

Spain entered a governing void Monday, facing weeks or months of uncertainty over what political party or parties will lead the country following a national election that fragmented the status quo. Anti-austerity party Podemos and liberal Ciudadanos made big gains forcing the ruling conservative Popular Party to lose its majority.

Pictured: PM Rajoy after last week's election.

#SPAIN: Political Turmoil As New Parties Win Nearly 35% of Vote; 109 Seats In Parliament

[world politics news]

Sunday's Spanish election saw voters reject the two traditional parties. The result is a hung parliament, with new Citizen's and Podemos parties taking nearly 35% of the vote. the conservative Popular Party took 28.72% of the vote, Socialists won 22.01%, Podemos 20.66% and Citizen's won 13.93%. In the 350-seat parliament this translates to PP (123); Socialists (90); Podemos (69); Citizens (40).

#SPAIN: Citizen's Party Polling Close Second To Ruling Popular Party, Outpacing Socialists

[world politics news]

Political newcomers, the Ciudadanos (Citizen's) Party, is polling ahead of Spain’s socialist party and is a close second to the ruling Popular Party, according to the latest opinion poll. The centrist party of Albert Rivera has overtaken both he Socialist Party and the new Far-Left Podemos Party.

Pictured: Citizen's Party Leader Albert Rivera.

#SPAIN: Citizen's Party Seeks The Center Of Spanish Politics

[world politics news]

The anti-corruption Ciudadanos or "Citizen's" Party is expected to gain its first seats in parliament this December, and came in second place in its Catalonia home base, where it opposes Catalan independence.

Pictured: Albert Rivera, leader of the Ciudadanos Party.

#SPAIN: Key Electoral Test For Rising Left-Wing Podemos Party In Today's Andalusian Vote

[world politics news]

Polls opened Sunday in Andalusia, one of the poorest parts of Spain, in a regional vote that will be a key test for the anti-austerity Podemos Party as well as the upstart center-right Ciudadanos Party ahead of the country's most unpredictable general election in decades.