Spain’s Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero faces a second parliamentary ballot to be confirmed as PM after failing to win enough MPs’ votes in the first round.

Analysts say he is assured of winning the next ballot on Friday.

As expected, he fell short of the absolute majority of 176 needed for a first round win but only needs a simple majority in the second vote.

A total of 168 MPs voted in favour of Mr Zapatero, while 158 voted against and 23 abstained.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7338641.stm