"Spanish Election Stalemate Sparks Stock Market Decline"

Spain's national election resulted in a narrow victory for the conservative Popular Party, but without the parliamentary majority needed to topple the coalition government of Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The inconclusive vote leaves the country in political uncertainty, with the possibility of weeks or even months of negotiations to form a government. The far-right Vox party, which campaigned on anti-immigration messages, performed poorly. Jobs, the economy, and the cost of living were key issues for Spanish voters, but climate change, nationalism, and LGBTQ and gender issues also featured in campaigns.