Spain's Socialists vote to end political impasse

MADRID (AP) - Spain's Socialist party says it will stop blocking the conservative Popular Party from forming a minority government, ending the country's nearly 10-month political impasse.

Members of the Socialists' federal committee announced after meeting Sunday that they would abstain from voting against acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy during a confidence vote in Parliament.

The committee voted 139 to 96 in favor of the abstention, a decision that should prevent a third election.

Two inconclusive elections since last December left Rajoy in charge of a caretaker government. His Popular Party won both elections, but not enough seats to form a majority in Parliament.

Spain has been led for decades by either the conservatives or the Socialists and has never had a coalition government.