Spanish PM fights for political life

Spain's Mariano Rajoy was fighting for his political life yesterday as his government faced a no-confidence vote tabled by the opposition Socialists following a corruption scandal involving the premier's ruling Popular Party.

Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez demanded Rajoy step down, arguing he had lost credibility after last week's exposure of a vast system of bribes given to former PP officials in exchange for lucrative public contracts.

"Resign, Mr Rajoy, your time is up. Resign and this no-confidence motion ends here, today and now," he said during the debate in parliament.

"Staying on as prime minister is harmful and is a burden not only for Spain but also for your party."

Sanchez appears to be within striking distance of cobbling together an absolute majority of 176 lawmakers needed to force out Rajoy, who leads a minority government following his reelection in 2016.

He has pledged to call a fresh election within months if the motion succeeds.

"The chances of a successful motion are on the rise," said Teneo Intelligence analyst Antonio Barroso, who said there was a "65-percent probability" that the motion would pass.

The Socialists, who hold 84 of the parliament's 350 seats, have won backing for the motion from anti-establishment party Podemos, which has 67 mandates.

And with the support of tiny regional parties including Catalonia's two main separatist parties, it could pull together 175 votes -- just one short of the 176 needed to pass the motion.