Spain faces the ballot box on Sunday and could spend months in coalition talks

Spain may be facing months of coalition talks after Sunday’s general election given the extremely divided political environment.

Over the last year, the country's main parties have become increasingly polarised, shifting towards the left and right of political spectrum in an increasingly antagonistic manner such that now none is able to muster a majority of votes that would allow them to lead on their own.

Following two televised debates between most of their leaders during the past week, a significant amount of Spaniards have yet to make up their minds about with whom to throw in their lot.

The vote on Sunday could result in the first coalition government in Spain since the 1970s and may also mark the first time since 1982 that a far-right party has managed to get seats in Congress.

According to the latest polls reported in Spanish media, the PSOE party (currently in government) leads with around 30% of the votes. This could allow incumbent President Pedro Sánchez to remain in power if he manages to clinch a coalition with far-left Podemos although he is likely to require the help of minor nationalist parties from the Catalan region.

Another possible option is a right-wing coalition between PP, Ciudadanos and the far-right Vox, which might see PP party leader, Pablo Casado become Spain's next President.

Campaigning is scheduled to end at midnight on Friday, as per the country's electoral laws, with the results of the vote to be made known at around midnight on Sunday.