Explainer: What happens now the no-confidence motion against Rajoy has succeeded?

The no-confidence motion against Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy passed on Friday with 180 ¡°yes¡± votes, four more than the 176 required for an absolute majority.

The government must immediately present Rajoy's resignation, and Socialist leader (PSOE) Pedro S¨¢nchez ¨C who is the replacement candidate ¨C ¡°shall be understood to be appointed¡± by the parliament as prime minister. King Felipe VI will then officially name him the new head of the Spanish government.

If the motion passes, King Felipe VI will name Pedro S¨¢nchez as the prime minister of Spain

According to lawyers from Congress, this automatic process is due to the ¡°constructive nature of the no-confidence motion.¡± In other words, S¨¢nchez does not have to be invested in a separate vote because the very motion implies the trust of the Spanish parliament. ¡°The process of a no-confidence motion is actually an alternative to an ordinary investiture. It has the same effect ¨C it establishes the prime minister of the government ¨C but through different channels,¡± the lawyers explain.

Similarly, Article 179 of Congress Regulations indicates that the speaker of Congress ¡°will make it immediately known to the king and to the prime minister¡± that the no-confidence motion has been approved. This statement ¡°must accompany the decree naming the new prime minister,¡± the lawyers add. The decree must be published in the Official State Bulletin (BOE) the day after the no-confidence vote is approved.

English version by Melissa Kitson.