Spain election: Political uncertainty after split result

Anti-austerity party Podemos and liberal Ciudadanos made big gains as the conservative Popular Party (PP) lost its majority.

"Spain is not going to be the same anymore and we are very happy," said Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias.

The PP and the Socialists had alternated running the government for more than three decades.

The parties must now embark on negotiations to form a coalition.

The PP had 28.7% of the vote, the Socialists 22%, Podemos 20.6% and Ciudadanos 13.9%.

The fact that the conservative PP came first with just 29% of the vote tells you how split this election was.

In reality the PP will struggle to find the necessary allies to form another government.

Podemos, an anti-austerity movement born during Spain's financial crisis, confirmed its position as a new, powerful political force.

It is possible it could form part of a left-wing alliance. Mathematically, such a coalition could reach power with the support of pro-independence Catalan parties.

But Spaniards could be guessing for days, or even weeks, about the shape and colour of their next Government.

After corruption scandals and austerity, the political landscape here has been dramatically changed.

PP leader Mariano Rajoy said he would try form a government, insisting: "This party is still the number one force in Spain."

But Mr Rajoy admitted that his party had taken some "difficult and even unpopular decisions" over the past four years as Spain struggled through an economic crisis.

Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez said his party was ready to start negotiations.

"Spain wants a move to the left," he said

Many Spaniards are poorer now than they were at the time of the last election, fuelling the rise of Podemos.

The party claimed it won more votes than any other party in Catalonia and the Basque region and came second in Madrid.

"Many people have lost their confidence in traditional parties," said deputy leader Inigo Errejon. "The two-party system has ended."

Podemos's rise was also hailed by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras, whose Syriza party is its ally.

"Austerity has been politically defeated in Spain," said Mr Tsipras, adding that the result was a sign that "Europe is changing".

Albert Rivera, leader of the fourth-placed party Ciudadanos, meanwhile said the election marked a new era for young Spaniards like him, who were born after the country's dictatorship ended in 1975.

"Those of us who didn't experience the first democratic transition are experiencing a second one," he said.

Spain's economy, corruption allegations and a separatist drive in the prosperous north-eastern region of Catalonia were all dominant issues in the election.

Unemployment remains high at 21%, the second-highest rate in the EU after Greece, although it has fallen from its 2013 peak of 27%.

Election turnout was 73% - up slightly compared to the 2011 election.

(BBC)