Pressure Mounts on Spain's Political Parties

Spain may be one step closer to getting a government in place, but the road ahead will be rough. The country once had a stable two-party political configuration, but economic and political discontent have spurred the rise of the left-wing Podemos and centrist Ciudadanos. The executive committee of acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's center-right Popular Party decided Aug. 17 that the party could start negotiations with Ciudadanos party on a deal that would potentially allow Rajoy to form a government. If the Popular Party agrees to the proposals -- which include implementing electoral reform, transparency and anti-corruption measures -- then Ciudadanos will support Rajoy's investiture as prime minister in a parliamentary vote....