Vote affirms support for Spanish austerity drive

Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy secured backing for his austerity drive in a vote in his home region of Galicia yesterday, but a clear win for nationalist parties in the Basque Country could prove a headache for central government.

According to exit polls, Spain’s ruling centre-right People’s Party was set to retain its absolute majority and government in Galicia with 39 to 42 seats in the regional parliament, compared with 18 to 20 seats for the Socialist Party and 15 to 18 seats for the two nationalist parties.

Opinion polls before the vote had indicated the PP would win 39 or fewer seats.