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MADRID (AP) — The conservative Popular Party in Spain has signed a deal with the smaller, business-friendly Ciudadanos that could help avoid a possible third round of elections and end the country's eight-month political deadlock.
The deal, signed Sunday, is a package of 150 reforms proposed by Ciudadanos, which will allow 32 of its lawmakers to vote for acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at a parliamentary session on Aug. 31.
With Ciudadanos' support, Rajoy will have 170 votes in his favor, but he still falls short of a majority in the 350-seat parliament.
Both parties are now increasing pressure on the Socialist Party, second with 85 seats in parliament, to vote in favor of Rajoy and avoid a possible third round of elections on Christmas Day.
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