Mariano Rajoy

Spain’s acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy warns that a third round of elections in one year would make Spain “the laughingstock of Europe” as he tries to cobble together support to form a government and end eight months of political deadlock.

President Obama called Sunday for greater tolerance, respect and understanding from police officers toward the people they are sworn to protect, as well as from individuals who think the police are too heavy-handed and intolerant, particularly toward people of color.

It took the White House more than seven years to lock in Spain on President Barack Obama’s foreign travel schedule. But events beyond Obama’s control have turned his first and only visit to Spain, the largest European country that had yet to welcome the president, into a rushed one.

Spain’s king is meeting Monday and Tuesday with the country’s political parties following four months of political paralysis in a last-ditch effort to install a government and avoid sending voters back to the ballot box.

Spain entered a governing void Monday, facing weeks or months of uncertainty over what political party or parties will lead the country following a national election that fragmented the status quo. The result was so blurred that a German government spokeswoman said it was impossible to determine who deserved congratulations.

Spain’s opposition Socialist party Monday said it would vote against having acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy form a new government

The nationalist parties in the Spanish region of Catalonia are poised to win in the semi-autonomous area’s election, increasing the possibility for the region to hold a referendum to break away from the rest of Spain.