 The prospective PSOE–IU alliance found itself commanding 54 seats against the 55-strong PP, which would not be able to bring its candidate, Esperanza Aguirre, through an investiture vote as the rebel PSOE MPs would not vote for her either.With no candidate able to obtain the required votes to become President, the regional Assembly was dissolved on 28 August 2003 and a snap election was held in October 2003.The PP had replaced the PSOE in government after 12 years of Socialist rule as a result of the 1995 election.