Spaniards head to the polls today, Sunday, in a general election that is likely to be closely contested and overshadowed by ideological differences, the specter of the far-right, and the anger of citizens forced to vote during the summer holiday. Voting begins at 9 AM (07:00 GMT) and ends at 8 PM (18:00 GMT). Exit polls will be announced after voters leave the polling stations.
The final result is expected to be decided by fewer than one million votes and less than 10 seats in the 350-seat parliament.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, of the Socialist Party, called for early elections following a leftist defeat in local elections in May, but many are angry about being asked to vote during the peak of the hot summer.
Polls indicate that Spain is on track for a victory for the Popular Party, which is center-right. However, forming a government will require a partnership with the far-right Vox party, marking the first time a far-right party has entered government since the end of dictator Francisco Franco's rule in the 1970s.
