The conservative leader of Spain’s Madrid region has won a resounding victory after a bitter election battle.
Despite more than doubling the Popular Party (PP) seats, Isabel Díaz Ayuso still fell short of a majority and may end up in alliance with the far right.
She defied the Socialist-led central government by keeping Madrid’s bars and shops open throughout the pandemic.
There was high security following death threats against several candidates.
The acrimonious campaign highlighted the polarisation in Spanish politics.
Ms Ayuso won 44.7% of the vote, taking 65 seats in Madrid’s 136-seat assembly. The three-party left bloc could only muster 58 seats between them.
