One of the most divisive elections in recent years sees political parties in Spain fighting more on emotional and identity issues, such as Catalonia’s botched independence bid, than on the economy. Support for the previous winner, the conservative People’s Party (PP), has collapsed amid a corruption scandal. Its main opponent, the Socialist party (PSOE), has rocketed to the top of the polls after seizing the prime minister’s job last year. Most polls predict the Socialists and Podemos on the left will emerge with the biggest block of seats but fall short of the 176 needed for a majority in the 350-member lower house of parliament. If that proves accurate, the left-wing coalition would need to seek support from smaller parties, including Basque and Catalan nationalists.

 
• infographics
 
• spain
 
• election
 
• candidates