Spain moving closer to government

Spain’s liberal newcomer party Ciudadanos (Citizens) agreed yesterday to back acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in a confidence vote, but the support is not enough to end an eight-month political stalemate.

Rajoy’s centre-right People’s Party won most votes in two inconclusive general elections in December and June but it fell well short of a majority, leading to months of fruitless political negotiations to form a coalition.

Ciudadanos, which came fourth in both elections, said yesterday it would add its 32 parliamentary seats to Mr Rajoy’s 137 in Wednesday’s vote, but this still falls short of the 176 needed for an absolute majority.