No-confidence motion seen as shot in the foot for Spain's right

Economist Ramon Tamames delivers a speech as leader of Spain's far-right party Vox Santiago Abascal and Vox's spokesperson in parliament Ivan Espinosa de los Monteros, talk during a no confidence motion against the government at the parliament in Madrid, Spain, March 21, 2023. REUTERS/Susana Vera

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's parliament started debating on Tuesday a no confidence motion in the leftist government submitted by the far-right Vox party, a move widely expected to fail and potentially hurt the party's popularity ahead of December elections.

Political analysts said Vox was aware it lacked support to oust the government in Wednesday's vote and yet went ahead, giving Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez the stage to rip into the opposition and highlight his government's achievements.