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Spain rivals weigh coalition options in post-election talks Spain rivals weigh coalition options in post-election talks
(about 1 hour later)
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will meet the Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez shortly for exploratory talks on forming a coalition government. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is meeting Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez for exploratory talks on forming a coalition government.
The new liberal Ciudadanos (Citizens) party, which came fourth in Sunday's election, now wants a "pact" with them.The new liberal Ciudadanos (Citizens) party, which came fourth in Sunday's election, now wants a "pact" with them.
Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera said they would exclude left-wing Podemos, "which wants to break Spain up".Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera said they would exclude left-wing Podemos, "which wants to break Spain up".
Podemos, unlike the others, backs the Catalan nationalists' call for a referendum on independence from Spain.Podemos, unlike the others, backs the Catalan nationalists' call for a referendum on independence from Spain.
Spain is braced for weeks of tough negotiations, after the election left the country's politics fragmented, with the two new parties - Ciudadanos and Podemos (meaning "we can") - making a big impact.Spain is braced for weeks of tough negotiations, after the election left the country's politics fragmented, with the two new parties - Ciudadanos and Podemos (meaning "we can") - making a big impact.
Mr Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) got 123 seats - far short of the 176 minimum needed to govern alone.Mr Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) got 123 seats - far short of the 176 minimum needed to govern alone.
For decades the Socialists (PSOE) and PP alternated in government.For decades the Socialists (PSOE) and PP alternated in government.
The Rajoy-Sanchez talks are getting under way at government headquarters, Madrid's Moncloa Palace. The Rajoy-Sanchez talks got under way at government headquarters, Madrid's Moncloa Palace.
The PSOE got 90 seats - its worst result in recent history - while Podemos got 69 and Ciudadanos 40.The PSOE got 90 seats - its worst result in recent history - while Podemos got 69 and Ciudadanos 40.
The PSOE is against Mr Rajoy leading Spain's next government. The PP's result was its worst since 1989.The PSOE is against Mr Rajoy leading Spain's next government. The PP's result was its worst since 1989.
Mr Rajoy insists that any coalition partner must work for the unity of Spain. He is firmly opposed to any Catalan referendum on independence.Mr Rajoy insists that any coalition partner must work for the unity of Spain. He is firmly opposed to any Catalan referendum on independence.
Influential deputyInfluential deputy
Mr Rajoy's deputy, 44-year-old Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, has emerged as a powerful figure, and appeared on the PP's campaign posters.Mr Rajoy's deputy, 44-year-old Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, has emerged as a powerful figure, and appeared on the PP's campaign posters.
She took part in the first two election debates on TV, after Mr Rajoy decided not to take part. Some see her as a potential replacement for him as PP leader.She took part in the first two election debates on TV, after Mr Rajoy decided not to take part. Some see her as a potential replacement for him as PP leader.
The PP's vote took a battering because of a party funding scandal and widespread anger over economic austerity. Spain's 21% unemployment rate remains one of the highest in Europe, and inequality grew after the financial crisis.The PP's vote took a battering because of a party funding scandal and widespread anger over economic austerity. Spain's 21% unemployment rate remains one of the highest in Europe, and inequality grew after the financial crisis.
The election result was seen as a rejection of traditional Spanish politics, dominated by the PP and PSOE since the nationalist dictator Francisco Franco died in 1975.The election result was seen as a rejection of traditional Spanish politics, dominated by the PP and PSOE since the nationalist dictator Francisco Franco died in 1975.
There is speculation that a left-wing coalition government could be formed - along the lines of neighbouring Portugal. But there are serious divisions between the PSOE and Podemos - and together they would still be short of a majority. They might have to woo small leftist parties in the Basque Country and Catalonia.There is speculation that a left-wing coalition government could be formed - along the lines of neighbouring Portugal. But there are serious divisions between the PSOE and Podemos - and together they would still be short of a majority. They might have to woo small leftist parties in the Basque Country and Catalonia.
Doing the post-election sums:Doing the post-election sums: