The opposition Socialists in Spain have effectively voted to allow the
conservatives under Mariano Rajoy to rule as a minority government.
Party leaders decided by a majority at their meeting in Madrid to abstain when Mr Rajoy puts his Popular Party (PP) government to a vote in parliament.
The country had faced the prospect of a third general election inside a year.
But the Socialists forced out their leader, Pedro Sanchez, earlier this month after he rejected abstention.
Mr Rajoy has led a caretaker administration since losing his overall majority in an election last December. A repeat election in June failed to end the impasse but strengthened his hand.
Party leaders decided by a majority at their meeting in Madrid to abstain when Mr Rajoy puts his Popular Party (PP) government to a vote in parliament.
The country had faced the prospect of a third general election inside a year.
But the Socialists forced out their leader, Pedro Sanchez, earlier this month after he rejected abstention.
Mr Rajoy has led a caretaker administration since losing his overall majority in an election last December. A repeat election in June failed to end the impasse but strengthened his hand.
