Mariano Rajoy

Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Jan. 5 he saw no alternative to a repeat of elections in Catalonia after the region's pro-independence bloc fractured over who to name as the new government's leader.

Some images that political leaders would like to forget, since they are shown in awkward moments. Angela Merkel’s selfie with refugees, Obama’s ice cream and FEMEN protester’s attack to Draghi are among the pictures of 2015.

1. The thong that attacked Draghi

Spain dealt a blow to bi-party politics Dec. 20 in historic elections that saw the incumbent conservatives score an uneasy win tailed by the long-established Socialists and upstart, far-left Syriza ally Podemos.

Spain's ruling conservative Popular Party (PP), led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, won the highest number of votes in Sunday's general election but fell short of outright majority in the 350-seat parliament, newswires reported.

According to exit polls, PP won 122 seats while it needed at least 176 needed for a parliamentary majority.

“SYRIZA, Podemos – venceremos” chanted Podemos’s Pablo Iglesias into the microphone back in January 25, on the golden days of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA). Greece had voted to “tear the bailout” and the anti-austerity sentiment was high. It was believed that an anti-austerity movement would rip-roar through Europe beginning in Greece with SYRIZA.

Back then, Iglesias had said:

Spanish conservative People's Party (PP) is having a clear lead in the general election held Saturday.

However, PP of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will not garner enough votes to form an independent majority, with nearly all votes counted.

Rajoy's conservatives, who have been in power since late in 2011, have garnered abou 28.7%, with Socialists lagging behind at 21%.

Two newly-established parties are set to shake the status quo in Spanish politics as citizens are casting ballots in a general election on Sunday.

Most polls show ruling Popular Party (PP) of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has a narrow lead.

Spanish voters went to the polls on Dec. 20 in what is expected to be one of the most closely-fought contests in modern history as two dynamic new parties take on the country's long-established political giants.

The regional parliament of Catalonia approved a plan on Nov 9 to set up a road map for independence from Spain by 2017, in defiance of the central government.

Main opposition New Democracy leader Vangelis Meimarakis opposed to the draft prepared on the refugee issue which criticizes Greece while attending the meeting of the European People’s Party group (EPP) which focus on migration and the formulation of a common asylum policy.

Mr. Meimarakis asked to remove the points where Greece is being criticized.