Spain Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez faces key party vote

Image copyright EPA

Image caption Mr Sanchez"s hard-line stance against a conservative-led coalition has many supporters in the rank and file

The embattled leader of Spain"s opposition Socialists, Pedro Sanchez, is facing a party vote that may both affect his future and help end the country"s political deadlock.

Mr Sanchez has suggested that he could resign if Saturday"s party delegates decide to lift his veto on a conservative-led governing coalition.

This week almost half of the party"s executive resigned over the issue.

Spain has been in a political limbo for the past nine months.

The results of a general election in December 2015 left a hung parliament. The majority Popular Party (PP) has sought to form a coalition government but Mr Sanchez has repeatedly blocked their attempts.

In attempt to break the stalemate, a second election was held on 26 July 2016 but, again, no party won an absolute majority.

The Socialist Party (PSOE) has long been divided between supporters of Mr Sanchez and those who want to end the stalemate.

Many delegates at Saturday"s federal committee meeting at party headquarters in Madrid hope to force Mr Sanchez out.

On Wednesday, 17 of the 35 members of the PSOE executive resigned in protest at his stance.

Image copyright Reuters

Image caption Pedro Sanchez has refused to make a deal

Are there parallels elsewhere in Europe?

Salutary lessons may be drawn from the travails of other left-leaning parties.

In the UK, left-wing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has so far survived a deep ideological split in the Labour party, triggered by his own election as leader last year. He endured a wave of resignations including many of his shadow cabinet, and went on to win another leadership contest.

But perhaps more pertinent to Mr Sanchez is the experience of Greece"s socialist Pasok party. The party that once dominated Greek politics fell dramatically from favour when the debt crisis hit – reviled for accepting hated austerity while in power in 2009. As with Podemos in Spain, the long-established left was challenged by a more radical party, Syriza, which is now in power.

Mr Sanchez may fear that if his Socialist party is seen as paving the way for the conservative PP to return to power, he will be similarly punished.

What are the stakes for Spain?

They are significant. The Socialists, Spain"s second-largest party with 85 seats in parliament, could end up rudderless at a crucial time.

Parliament has until the end of October to decide whether to back a PP-led minority government. If not, Spain"s stalemate will last 12 months and a third general election will take place in December.

How long can a country last without an elected government?

For a long time, if Belgium is to be taken as an example. A political deadlock there lasted for 541 days. The situation led to demonstrations and pressure from financial markets and ratings agencies.

Spain, the eurozone"s fourth-biggest economy, is still recovering from the 2008-2013 double dip recession.

Prolonged political deadlock could bring uncertainty to investors and eventually slow the country"s recovery.

It is thought that the uncertainty in Belgium only came to an end after the ratings agency Standard & Poor downgraded the country"s credit rating, making it more expensive for Belgium to borrow money.

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Spain Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez faces key party vote
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