31/10/2016 (Agence Europe) – European Council President Donald Tusk congratulated Mariano Rajoy on Saturday 29 October on his being reinstalled as Spanish prime minister for a second term of office. After 10 months of political stalemate and two inconclusive general elections, Christian Democrat Rajoy was called on by the Spanish parliament on that same day to form a minority government that would have the support of the Liberals of Cuidadanos, with the Socialists agreeing to abstain. “I trust that over the next years and under your leadership, Spain will benefit from the political stability and social cohesion that are necessary to respond to the challenges at hand”, said Tusk in his letter of congratulations. Madrid will have to present a revised draft budget in which it will set out the measures to claw back the €5 billion needed if Spain is to meet its commitment to reduce its public deficit to 3.1% of GDP in 2017 and 2.2% in 2018 (see EUROPE 11643). (MB)