A Cabinet minister between 1996 and 2004 under conservative Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar NEW : The Popular Front wins 45 % of votes and 186 legislative seats , giving it a majority . Rajoy says that Spain 's economic woes need ` ` a lot of effort and a lot of unity '' The Socialist ##s candidate conceded , so his party wo n't rule for first time since 2008 . The economy was the top issue , with nearly 5 million working - class Spaniards without a job .
NEW : The Popular Front wins 45 % of votes and 186 legislative seats , giving it a majority . Rajoy says that Spain 's economic woes need ` ` a lot of effort and a lot of unity '' The Socialist ##s candidate conceded , so his party wo n't rule for first time since 2008 . The economy was the top issue , with nearly 5 million working - class Spaniards without a job .