Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s reign of more than six years may come to an end today after Basque nationalists agreed to back a motion of no confidence sparked by a financial scandal engulfing his party.
Tabled by opposition leader Pedro Sanchez, the vote could see Rajoy ejected and replaced by the rival socialist leader – who needs a majority of 176.
Rajoy has the support of his own People’s Party, the centre-right Ciudadanos and two regional parties.
But yesterday the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), which holds five crucial seats, revealed its intentions to back Sanchez’s motion.
This leaves Rajoy with just 169 votes, giving Sanchez a slim but definitive lead with 176.
And on the same day that Italy will form a populist coalition after three months adrift, there is fear the Spanish situation could spark another Italian-style political crisis, throwing the European Union and global financial market into chaos.
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