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Spanish monarch nears decision on formation of new govt Spanish monarch nears decision on formation of new govt
(35 minutes later)
MADRID — King Felipe VI is wrapping up a week of meetings with Spain’s political leaders before picking one to form a government, after inconclusive elections last month. MADRID — King Felipe VI was holding more meetings Friday with Spain’s political leaders before picking one to form a government after an inconclusive election last month.
The king was due to meet Friday with incumbent conservative premier Mariano Rajoy, whose Popular Party won most seats but fell short of a voting majority in Parliament, and with Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez, whose party came second. The king was to meet Friday with incumbent conservative premier Mariano Rajoy, whose Popular Party won the most seats but fell short of a voting majority in Parliament, and with Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez, whose party came second.
The monarch traditionally invites the election winner to govern. However, he may opt for other leaders if they can forge alliances with other parties and summon more votes in Parliament, where lawmakers approve or reject legislation. The monarch traditionally invites the election winner to govern. However, he may opt for other leaders if they can forge alliances and summon more votes in Parliament. The party leader invited by the king must win a parliamentary vote of confidence to take office, but so far no candidate has been able to muster enough support.
The party leader invited by the king must win a parliamentary vote of confidence to take office, but so far no candidate has been able to muster enough support. Felipe began the day of talks at the Zarzuela Palace by meeting with Pablo Iglesias, the political science professor who leads the leftist Podemos party. Iglesias, who arrived in a white shirt with no jacket or tie, has already said his party won’t join a coalition led by Rajoy’s Popular Party nor indirectly support Rajoy by abstaining during a confidence vote.
Podemos and its allies came third in the election with 69 seats in the 350-member lower house of parliament.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.