Spain ends 10-month political crisis

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy won a parliamentary confidence vote, pledging to plough on with his economic policies, despite the opposition blaming austerity in his first term for deepening inequalities.

"Do no expect me to... damage economic recovery and job creation," the 61-year-old told lawmakers in a pre-vote parliamentary session, referring to Spain's return to growth under his watch.

Rajoy only won the vote thanks to the abstention of most lawmakers from the Socialist party, which opted to let their arch-rival govern rather than go to third elections in poll-weary Spain.

170 lawmakers voted for Rajoy, 111 against and 68 Socialists abstained.

Near parliament, several thousand protesters took to the streets amid a heavy police presence, unhappy about corruption and sweeping spending cuts during Rajoy's first term, shouting: "They don't represent us."

In parliament itself, party leaders strongly criticised Rajoy and one another -- just as they have done for the past 10 months as the country went through two inconclusive elections.

Unlike when he came to power in 2011 with an absolute majority, Rajoy's party will only have 137 out of 350 seats in parliament and will face huge opposition, forcing him to negotiate every bill.

Among his priorities will be the 2017 budget, which may need at least five billion euros ($5.5 billion) in spending cuts to reduce the deficit in the face of EU pressure.

He will also face rising separatist sentiment in the northeastern Catalonia region.

After the vote, Rajoy sought to strike a conciliatory tone.

"If we all make an effort, we can reach agreements and we have to try and turn this difficult and complex situation into an opportunity," he told reporters.

French President Francois Hollande congratulated Rajoy late Saturday, expressing the wish in a letter that neighbours Spain and France will together relaunch "the European project" to create "a stronger, safer continent".

- AFP