The conservative People's Party (PP) won the election in Spain's southern Andalusia region but lost its absolute majority, forcing it to seek an alliance with the far-right Vox party to remain in power.
Sunday's vote in Spain's most populous region was a test ahead of a general election expected next year. The same right-wing coalition hopes to oust Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez after nine years of leftist rule.
Key issues included public health shortcomings, drug trafficking, and unemployment. The PP won 53 seats, down from 58 in 2022, short of the 55 needed for a majority in the 109-seat parliament.
The Socialists fell to 28 seats, their worst-ever result in their former stronghold. Vox gained 15 seats (up from 14), while leftist regionalist party Adelante Andalucia surged to 8 seats. Por Andalucia kept its 5 seats.
PP regional leader Juanma Moreno admitted falling short of his goal to govern without Vox. The PP has already formed coalitions with Vox in Extremadura and Aragon, and may do so in Castile and Leon.
Socialist candidate Maria Jesus Montero acknowledged the poor results and pledged to learn from mistakes. Andalusia was deeply Socialist until 2018, when anti-establishment sentiment boosted Vox.
