Spain parliament debating no-confidence motion against PM Rajoy

Spain’s parliament on Thursday began debating a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The parliamentary vote seeking Rajoy’s ouster was filed by the main opposition Socialists, following a court ruling in a major corruption case involving his ruling conservative Popular Party (PP). The Socialists say Rajoy has lost credibility after last week’s exposure in court of a vast system of bribes given to former PP officials in exchange for lucrative public contracts, AFP reported. The Socialists are said to be within striking distance of cobbling together an absolute majority of 176 lawmakers needed to force out Rajoy, who leads a minority government after being reelected in 2016. Lawmakers are due to vote on the motion on Friday.