Spanish government sees off no-confidence vote by far-right party

Vox motion had been hoping to capitalise on public anger over botched sexual offences legislation

Spain’s Socialist-led minority government has comfortably seen off a no-confidence vote tabled by the far-right Vox party, as the country gears up for regional and municipal elections in two months’ time and a general election due before the end of the year.

Although Vox’s motion, which was debated in congress on Tuesday and Wednesday, was never likely to attract support from other parties, the party had been hoping to capitalise on public anger over the government’s botched sexual offences legislation – which has resulted in reduced prison terms for hundreds of convicted felons – and its overhaul of sedition legislation.