Basque nationalist's 'edged out in elections'

Non-nationalists won more parliamentary seats than Basque nationalists in elections in Spain’s most turbulent region, in a result that could usher in the region’s first non-nationalist government in 30 years.

The ruling Basque Nationalist Party actually gained a seat to win 30 in the 75-seat parliament.

But electoral officials said on television and radio with close to 100% of the votes counted that three smaller nationalist allies lost seats, leaving the coalition with a total of 37 seats – one short of the needed majority.

In contrast, electoral officials said on state and regional television and radio that Spain’s Socialist party gained six seats to end with 24, and the conservative Popular Party and the Democracy Union Party won 13 seats and one, respectively.