Spain's political deadlock finally ends

After nearly a year of bickering and stalling, Spanish politicians have finally formed their country’s new government. Mariano Rajoy, leader of the conservative Popular Party (PP), returns for a second term as prime minister. This time, Rajoy heads up a coalition made up of the PP, centrist newcomer Ciudadanos (‘Citizens’) and the centre-right Canary Islands Coalition. This is good news for Spain and shows that, at last, pragmatism has trumped ideology. It has ensured that a dreaded third election, which had been looming in December, won’t now be needed.

Rajoy’s administration won’t have it easy though. The coalition is deeply unpopular with many Spaniards and will face formidable opposition in congress. What’s more, cross-party tensions – an inevitable part of political pacts of convenience – are also likely to cause trouble. But many will now hope that the country can lurch back into action after ten months of enforced idleness. The cross-party coalition has shown realism and a willingness to compromise – two qualities rarely seen in the last few months of shameful Spanish politics.