MADRID’S conservative leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso could form a coalition with Spain’s far-right Vox Party after she failed to win an overall majority in Tuesday’s highly polarised election.

Her Popular Party (PP) won 44.7 per cent of the vote to secure 65 seats in Madrid’s 136-seat assembly, more than doubling its presence in the regional parliament. The three-party left bloc took just 58 seats.

Pablo Iglesias, leader of left-wing party Podemos, who stood down as Spain’s deputy prime minister to challenge Ms Ayuso, said he would now leave politics altogether.

He had branded the election a choice between “democracy or fascism” and warned against the political involvement of Vox in the regional government.

Ms Ayuso had meanwhile pitched the contest as a choice between “socialism or freedom.” She said the results showed backing for her policy of keeping bars, restaurants and other businesses open despite the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the region has Spain’s second-highest infection rate and the highest number of patients in intensive care.

The election’s turnout appeared to be high, with reports of large queues at polling stations throughout the day.