Madrid

A THIRD election would do little to break Spain's political stalemate, with the People's Party (PP) of acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy seen winning the vote but coming far short of a parliamentary majority, an influential poll showed on Monday.

Spain is already eight months into a deadlock created by two inconclusive elections. Parties on the right and left have so far struggled to come to terms to form a government, hampered by old rivalries and disputes ranging from economic policy to leadership questions.