Support of key Basque party paves way for Spain’s PM to be voted out of office

Barring any last-minute changes, the no-confidence motion against Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy debated in Congress today will pass on Friday with 180 “yes” votes, four more than the 176 required for an absolute majority. Rajoy will be removed from office unless he decides to step down before the ballot takes place on Friday.

It will be the first successful no-confidence vote in Spain’s democratic history. Rajoy, 63, survived a no-confidence vote filed by Podemos in June of last year.

The Popular Party (PP) conservatives are facing the prospect of seeing their leader voted out of office as the result of a motion tabled last week by the main opposition Socialist Party (PSOE).
Rajoy on Thursday refused to step down ahead of the vote, as opposition leader Pedro Sánchez has urged him to do..
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