It has taken 10 months, but Spain appears to be finally on the verge of forming a new government. <br /><br /> After losing a parliamentary vote of confidence on Thursday, acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is expected to win a second such vote this weekend, opening the way to a minority conservative government. <br /><br /> The Socialists have said they will abstain on Saturday, when Rajoy will only need more votes in favour than against. <br /><br /> Despite that, opposition parties warned the Spanish premier he will face a tough second term. <br /><br /> During Thursday’s heated debate, in which the leftist Podemos party stormed out of the chamber, Rajoy’s rivals made it clear they would not give him a free hand to govern and would fight his austerity policies. <br /><br /> Rajoy’s People’s Party won two national elections in December and June but without a majority. So far since then, efforts to form a coalition government have failed.<br />
