Spain becoming invisible in Europe

Political rivals have refused to form a coalition with the centre-right People's Party following inconclusive general elections in December and June. And with a third general election in less than a year appearing likely, MEP Fernando Maura has said Spain is starting to "disappear" from the EU. Congressmen Jose Ramon Garcia Hernandez added: "It seems irresponsible to me. Either we are at the height of the challenges or our citizens will suffer."

Despite the crisis, acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy is expected to be present at a major meeting of EU leaders in Slovakia next month. Mr Rajoy, the People's Party leader, yesterday announced he would do all he could to form a coalition with the socialist party PSOE. He said: "We've managed to collect 170 seats in Congress so that Spain can have a government. This is very positive, but it is not enough."

And taking aim at stubborn PSEO leader Pedro Sanchez, he said: "I've already got 170 people who support me. Do you want to repeat elections?”

Mr Sanchez faces mounting pressure to cave in to the demands of the People's Party and Ciudadanos. 

Meanwhile Mr Garcia Hernandez called on EU countries to unite to fight Islamic State, also known as Daesh, and tackle the refugee crisis. He said: "Moments of crisis must be times of opportunity and can be used by Europeans to move towards a better Europe. "The bad guy always goes faster than the good one. We have to generate tools to fight this evil. No one can address the issue of Daesh alone. "Nobody has been able to end the war in Syria or in Libya alone."