Mariano Rajoy

The 46-year-old takes over from Mariano Rajoy, who was defeated by a no-confidence vote on Friday.

Mariano Rajoy expected to be confirmed as prime minister, ending months of political instability following two inconclusive elections.

Resignation of Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez may provide an opening after months of political deadlock.

Spain has been deadlocked politically with the inability to forge a coalition delaying investments and appointments.

Rajoy suggested that his first approach would be to try and form a minority administration.

'There's no alternative to Catalan independence. You'd have to be very radical to defend what we have now,' Puigdemont says.

The country's next government will need to show it is serious about fiscal policy.

The Spanish anti-austerity party can surge at the elections, but only with a European strategy.

Rajoy was hit during a rally in his home region of Galicia, days before the general election.

Spaniards will cast their ballots on December 20 after a turbulent few years for Spanish politics.

However, those with long-term diseases still don't qualify for free medication, as Rajoy reverses 2012 decision.

The Spanish parliament passed the bill despite disapproval from all 14 opposition parties.

Many of the messages celebrate the presumed deaths of Catalans who were on the flight.

Pablo Iglesias made the challenge at his 'alternative state of the nation' address on Wednesday.

20-year-old 'Little Nicolas' allegedly impersonated government agents, politician's aides and shook hands with the King

Despite the radical left-wing party taking the lead in the Spanish polls, over 50% don't see them as a realistic alternative to the two main parties

Hackers have targeted pro-independence campaign sites and local Catalan government web pages, while crank calls have kept organiser's line busy

The 10-month-old left-wing party leads the polls, in the biggest ruction of the two-party system since the fall of Franco

Catalonia is set to push ahead with a referendum on independence, despite Madrid's moves to block the vote

Catalonian leader Arthur Mas signed a decree on Saturday calling for a vote on November 9, putting the local government on a collision course with Madrid