Spain’s Rajoy pleas for ‘stable’ government ahead of confidence vote

Spain’s caretaker prime minister Mariano Rajoy has told parliament that it’s “urgent” for the country to get a “long-term,” “stable” government – to end an eight-month political impasse. Highlighting the country’s economic progress, he appealed to members to back him for a second term, on the eve of a confidence vote. Rajoy’s centre-right People’s Party is six seats short of the absolute majority of 176 seats it needs – and has run out of allies. The Socialists have been refusing to back him and it heightens the chances of a third election in Spain in a year. If Rajoy loses Wednesday’s vote, a second vote is expected on Friday where a simple majority would suffice, to allow him to form a government.