Spain to Hold General Election on Sunday

A general election will be held in Spain on December 20 with four parties enjoying comparable levels of popularity among the Spaniards - a drastic change since the last election.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) —During the last parliamentary elections, held in Spain in 2011, the People’s Party led by current country's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, received the support of over 44.5 percent of the electorate and obtained 186 seats in Parliament, which constituted an absolute majority.

This year, polls forecast the ruling party a way weaker support among the votership.

According to the most recent GESOP poll, the People’s Party is expected to be supported by 25.8 percent of voters and take 107-111 seats — some 75 less than it conquered in the previous composition of the parliament.

The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, its traditional rival, goes second with 21.4 percent of supporters (84-88 seats), losing over 7 percent and over 20 seats.

Left-wing Podemos party founded in 2014 could finish third with 20.4 percent of voters to take 71-75 seats. Part of its platform calls for renegotiating unpopular austerity measures mandated to pay back EU debts.

Another first-timer, the Ciudadanos (translated as Citizens) center-left movement is expected to take 16 percent or 50-54 seats.

The Spanish United Left-Popular Unity coalition, openly opposing the country's membership in NATO, that currently has 11 seats after winning 6.9 percent in 2011 is expected to come fifth and take 2-4 seats with 3.8 percent of votes.