No party had secured a majority in the 2015 election , resulting in the most fragmented parliament since 1977 . Ensuing negotiations failed to produce a stable governing coalition , paving the way for a repeat election on 26 June . The political deadlock marked the first time that a Spanish election was triggered due to failure in the government formation process . Podemos and United Left ( IU ) joined forces ahead the election to form the Unidos Podemos alliance , along with several other minor left-wing parties . Opinion polling going into the election predicted a growing polarisation between this alliance and the People 's Party ( PP ) , which would be fighting to maintain first place nationally
negotiations
2015–16 Spanish government formation
2016 Spanish general election