In a surprising turn of events, Spain's opposition conservative party, the People's Party (PP), secured the most seats in the national elections but fell short of securing a coalition right-wing majority. The election raised fears of the far-right Vox party potentially entering the government for the first time since the country's return to democracy after General Franco's death five decades ago. With 100% of the votes counted, the PP won 136 seats while the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers party (PSOE) secured 122 seats. However, the conservatives' potential coalition partners in the far-right Vox party secured only 33 seats, down from their previous 52. On the other hand, PSOE's allies in the new far-left Sumar alliance came in fourth place with 31 seats.

As the left and right blocs vie for power, neither is close to securing the required 176 seats. The PP and Vox have secured 169 seats, while PSOE and Sumar have 153. This outcome suggests weeks of negotiations and horse-trading ahead as the rival camps explore options for forming a government. Negotiations to form governments will commence after the new parliament convenes on 17 August. The king will invite the PP's leader, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, to attempt to secure the prime ministership. If Feijoo declines, the king may turn to the current prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, with the same request. However, if no candidate secures a majority within two months, new elections must be held. Sánchez claimed victory, stating that the "reactionary" parties of the Spanish right had failed at the polls. However, the final results show a deeply divided political landscape, leaving Spain's government formation uncertain. The PP's leader, Feijóo, expressed his intention to form a government soon to prevent a period of uncertainty in the country. Sanchez had framed the election as a choice between progress and reactionary conservatism, emphasizing that only the PSOE and the Sumar alliance could defend and deliver the progressive agenda pursued over the past four years.

While the economy was the top issue for voters, with 31% prioritizing it, immigration, a key talking point for Vox, ranked as the most important issue for only 2% of those polled. As Spain faces an uncertain political future, the parties will need to navigate their ideologies and agendas to forge a working coalition.