After a protracted government formation and four rounds of voting, Mariano Rajoy (PP) was re-elected Prime Minister with the support of the Cs on 29 October 2016 after the PSOE leadership chose to abstain.

[9][10] In June 2017, following a series of corruption scandals involving the PP, Podemos submitted a motion of no confidence in Rajoy's government but on 14 June 2017 Congress rejected the motion after the PSOE leadership chose to abstain again.

[18][19] As a result of the vote PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez became prime minister.

[20][21] After the PSOE government refused to discuss right to self-determination for Catalonia, Catalan separatists joined the PP and Cs in voting down the 2019 General State Budget on 13 February 2019.

[23][24] On 15 February 2019 Prime Minister Sánchez announced that a snap election would be held on 28 April 2019.