Spain's political fragmentation is the direct consequence of its economic problems, which have weakened popular support for mainstream parties and led to the emergence of new political forces. Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party is the largest force in parliament, but it has failed to win the support of other parties needed to form a government. The Socialist Party, led by Pedro Sanchez, is the second largest force in parliament and will try to form a government March 2 but is also likely to fail. So far, Sanchez has only received support from the centrist Ciudadanos party, but this is not enough. Sanchez tried to make a deal with the left-wing Podemos party, but the two diverge on issues including the authorization of a legal independence referendum in Catalonia (which the Socialists oppose) and plans for reforms in the economy....
