Newcomer parties set for big gains in Spainish national election

Spain faces its most uncertain national election in 40 years tomorrow, with newcomer parties poised for big gains against the traditionally dominant conservatives and socialists, complicating efforts to form a stable government.

The ballot will mark the end of the established two-party system that has held sway since the dictatorship of Francisco Franco ended in 1975, ushering in an untested and potentially volatile era of consensus politics.

It will also offer the latest snapshot of the willingness of European electorates to abandon the mainstream centre-right and centre-left, following significant gains by populist parties since October in elections in France and Portugal.