According to the official results, the conservative Popular Party of Mariano Rajoy is the clear leader with 100% percent of the votes counted. The results released by the exit polls shows their projections were way off the mark, as the PP is gaining 137 seats (32,82%), the Socialist party (PSOE) is second with 22,87% and 85 seats, while Pablo Iglesias’s Podemos party comes in third place with 21,17% and 71 seats.  Cuidadanos won 12,88% of the vote and 31 seats. The results mean no party can form a majority government.

The ballots closed in Spain at 9pm (Greek time) and according the exit polls, the Popular Party has 28.5% of the the vote, with the Unidos Podemos at 25.6%. The socialist party is third with 22% and the Cuidadanos are fourth with 11.8%. Participation in the elections was at 51.17% at 7pm, 8 points lower than the previous turnout in December general elections. The global markets are closely watching the outcome hoping a Podemos-Socialist coalition government is avoided. According to the first exit polls, this is how many seats each party is estimated to win:

-PP: 28.5% (117-121 seats)

-Unidos Podemos: 25.6% (91-95 seats)

-Socialists (PSOE): 22% (81-85 seats)

-Cuidadanos: 11/8% (26-30 seats)