A bitterly-divided Spain has headed back to the polls for its second parliamentary election in just over six months, likely to deliver an even more fragmented parliament with no clear winner and a sizeable showing by the far-right.
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Spain has been struggling to put stable governments together since 2015, when new parties emerged from the financial crisis following decades during which power oscillated between the Socialists and the conservative People's Party (PP).
Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called this election - the fourth in four years - after his Socialist Party won a ballot in April but failed to form a government, betting that a new vote would strengthen his hand.
"There are only two options: either vote for the Socialists so that we have a government, or vote for any other party to block Spain from getting a progressive government," Sanchez told supporters at a closing rally in Barcelona on Friday.
Opinion polls show the Socialists in the lead but likely to win slightly fewer seats than in April, while the PP would be stronger and far-right party Vox could become Spain's third-largest party, just months after winning its first parliamentary seats.
One thing is certain: voters are tired of being called to the polls - there were also regional and European Union elections this year. That alone increases the chances that parties will make more of an effort this time to reach a deal over governing and shy away from a repeat ballot.
A minority government led by the Socialists appears the most likely outcome on Sunday, opinion polls show, but an even bigger question is who the Socialists may ally with and how long any government can last with a very fragmented parliament.
Many voters were still undecided days before the vote, meaning other scenarios are also possible.
Australian Associated Press