Breaking news. Conservative party ahead in Spain's election - polls

Follow all our latest updates here on this hot July election.

Summary

Spain currently holds the EU's rotating presidency - which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had hoped to use to showcase the advances his government had made. An election defeat for Sánchez could see the PP taking over the EU presidency reins. 

Three other exit polls carried out over the last few days concluded that the PP would take the win - but without an absolute majority. Their publication was however banned according to AFP.