Spain finally ends political crisis

Madrid : Spain finally turned the page on a rollercoaster 10-month political crisis Saturday as lawmakers voted the conservatives back into power despite bitter divisions.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy won a parliamentary confidence vote, pledging to plough on with his economic policies, despite the opposition blaming austerity in his first term for deepening inequalities.

"Do no expect me to... damage economic recovery and job creation," the 61-year-old told lawmakers in a pre-vote parliamentary session, referring to Spain's return to growth under his watch.

Rajoy only won the vote thanks to the abstention of most lawmakers from the Socialist party, which opted to let their arch-rival govern rather than go to third elections in poll-weary Spain.

170 lawmakers voted for Rajoy, 111 against and 68 Socialists abstained.