Slight breakthrough in Spanish deadlock

THERE might just be the beginning of a break in the Spanish government deadlock, although the parties still can’t agree who should sit where in Parliament! 

At a meeting held between interim Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera on August 9, the leader of the fourth largest party in the Cortes indicated that he might actually vote for the installation of Mr Rajoy as Prime Minister in the event that a list of six political reforms can be agreed upon in advance.

Most important and perhaps most contentious of the conditions is a ban on anyone under investigation on corruption charges from holding public office (it is reported that the Partido Popular is to be indicted for destruction of evidence not corruption which solves one problem for them).

Other demands include an investigation into the funding of the PP, amended electoral law, better transparency for each party and withdrawal of any legal protection for those involved in passing of legislation. 

According to Mr Rivera, in the event that these demands can be met, then it is very likely that his party would vote in favour of Mr Rajoy, although even their combined votes would not give the PP a majority.

If the PSOE, the main opposition decided to abstain in the vote, then the PP would be able to form a minority government although would be open to conjecture how long that would last given the apparent animosity between the right and the left but some of the minor parties might just have a role to play in allowing a stable government at last.