Spain ends 10-month political crisis

AFP, MADRID: Spain finally turned the page on a rollercoaster 10-month political crisis Saturday as lawmakers voted the conservatives back into power despite bitter divisions.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy won a parliamentary confidence vote, pledging to plough on with his economic policies, despite the opposition blaming austerity in his first term for deepening inequalities. “Do no expect me to... damage economic recovery and job creation,” the 61-year-old told lawmakers in a pre-vote parliamentary session, referring to Spain’s return to growth under his watch.
Rajoy only won the vote thanks to the abstention of most lawmakers from the Socialist party, which opted to let their arch-rival govern rather than go to third elections in poll-weary Spain. 170 lawmakers voted for Rajoy, 111 against and 68 Socialists abstained.
The Socialists’ decision to abstain drew stinging criticism from its rivals including far-left Podemos, and divided the party so seriously that Socialist chief Pedro Sanchez was ousted earlier this month.
Hours before the vote, Sanchez himself gave a tearful statement to the media, announcing he was quitting as a lawmaker so he would not have to abstain and allow Rajoy to govern.
Near parliament, several thousand protesters took to the streets amid a heavy police presence, unhappy about corruption and sweeping spending cuts during Rajoy’s first term, shouting: “They don’t represent us.”
“It’s going to be the same government, or similar, (as in) the past four years, which was disastrous for Spain,” said Carmen Lopez, a 65-year-old retired computer technician.
In parliament itself, party leaders strongly criticised Rajoy and one another—just as they have done for the past 10 months as the country went through two inconclusive elections.

Spain ends 10-month political crisis

AFP, MADRID: Spain finally turned the page on a rollercoaster 10-month political crisis Saturday as lawmakers voted the conservatives back into power despite bitter divisions. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy won a parliamentary confidence vote, pledging to plough on with his economic policies, despite the opposition blaming austerity in his first term for deepening inequalities. Do no expect me to... damage economic recovery and job creation, the 61-year-old told lawmakers in a pre-vote parliamentary session, referring to Spains return to growth under his watch. Rajoy only won the vote thanks to the abstention of most lawmakers from the Socialist party, which opted to let their arch-rival govern rather than go to third elections in poll-weary Spain. 170 lawmakers voted for Rajoy, 111 against and 68 Socialists abstained. The Socialists decision to abstain drew stinging criticism from its rivals including far-left Podemos, and divided the party so seriously that Socialist chief Pedro Sanchez was ousted earlier this month. Hours before the vote, Sanchez himself gave a tearful statement to the media, announcing he was quitting as a lawmaker so he would not have to abstain and allow Rajoy to govern. Near parliament, several thousand protesters took to the streets amid a heavy police presence, unhappy about corruption and sweeping spending cuts during Rajoys first term, shouting: They dont represent us. Its going to be the same government, or similar, (as in) the past four years, which was disastrous for Spain, said Carmen Lopez, a 65-year-old retired computer technician. In parliament itself, party leaders strongly criticised Rajoy and one anotherjust as they have done for the past 10 months as the country went through two inconclusive elections.