Spain’s Socialist-led coalition government has secured another extension of the state of emergency, which will now last until 24th May.
Congress’s approval for the latest extension of the crisis powers comes after days of bitter rowing and frantic negotiations.
The conservative People’s party (PP) and the far-right Vox party had both opposed any extension, saying the state of emergency was no longer necessary or proportionate.
They were joined by the pro-independence Catalan Republican Left party, which objects to the centralisation of powers under the emergency measures.
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However, the minority government managed to enlist the support of the centre-right Citizens party and other smaller, regional parties.
The PP eventually abstained, allowing the government to win a simple majority - more yes votes than no - in Wednesday afternoon’s vote.
Addressing the country’s 350-seat congress before the vote, the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, said the measure were needed to help safeguard Spain’s advances against the virus.
He also dismissed suggestions that the continued lock-down was too drastic.The prime minister added:
"The disease is being controlled and Spain is beginning to recover, but we must be careful and we need the legal and constitutional tool of this state of emergency."
To date, the virus has killed 25,857 people and infected more than 220,000 in Spain.
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