Culture wars rage as depopulated Spanish region goes to polls

Ruling party may need help from rightwing Vox to hold on to power after snap election in Castilla y Leon

People in the Spanish region of Castilla y Leon vote on Sunday in a snap election that represents a massive gamble for the ruling conservative People's party (PP). It could see a breakthrough by a new political platform campaigning on behalf of depopulated and underdeveloped parts of Spain.

The vote was called in December after the regional president, the PP's Alfonso Fernandez Manueco, kicked his partners in the centre-right Citizens party out of the coalition government, claiming that he could no longer rely on their loyalty.