This summer marked the end of conservative leader Mariano Rajoy’s eight-year spell as Spanish prime minister. His downfall became inevitable on May 24 as Spain’s high court condemned his People’s Party (PP) for its involvement in a kickbacks scheme spanning three decades.

This so-called “Gürtel” corruption case, which ended in the imprisonment of several Rajoy allies, not only spread shock among ruling conservatives but also created a window of opportunity for the opposition. The Socialist PSOE called for a vote of no confidence in parliament and proposed its own leader, Pedro Sánchez. to form a new government.

On June 1, the PSOE together with Unidos Podemos and the Catalan and Basque nationalist parties were finally able to drive the PP from office. This motion was driven not only by the corruption scandal but also a wider political deadlock fostered by the tensions over Catalonia’s constitutional status.