Relying on Basque nationalists, but still in power: Where next for Spain’s ‘weak’ government?

Since being returned to power following elections in December 2015 and June 2016, Mariano Rajoy’s Spanish government has had to rely on the support of smaller parties, such as Ciudadanos and the Basque Nationalist Party, to pass key legislation, including the 2017 national budget.

Caroline Gray assesses what this fragile political situation has meant for the country, noting that while Rajoy has so far managed to gain the alliances needed to implement core policies, it has come at a political cost in the shape of significant concessions for the Basque Country.