Spain heads for minority govt as socialists lift veto

Spain’s Socialists voted on Sunday to allow the conservatives to take power, likely ending a protracted political deadlock and avoiding a third election. The decision paves the way for acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to form a government by November. But while this eases uncertainty in a country that has been without a functioning executive for 10 months, Rajoy’s government will be extremely weak, backed by 137 lawmakers in a 350-strong parliament .