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Spanish monarch nears decision on formation of new govt Leftist leader offers way out of Spain’s political deadlock
(about 3 hours later)
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. MADRID — The leader of Spain’s radical leftist Podemos party said Friday he is willing to break the monthlong stalemate over who should form a government by entering into a coalition with the bigger Socialist party and smaller United Left.
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. Pablo Iglesias said he wants the three parties to build a “government of change,” with the number of places in the Cabinet allotted in accordance with the results of last December’s inconclusive general election. Iglesias said he would take the place of deputy prime minister while Socialist chief Pedro Sanchez would lead the government.
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. His surprise announcement came after weeks of deadlock following the election when no single party captured a majority in Parliament, where a future government needs to win a vote of confidence before taking power. Negotiations between the parties to form alliances have so far come to nothing.
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. “We have decided to seize the initiative and take a step forward,” Iglesias told reporters after meeting with King Felipe VI. “There is no more time for hesitation. Either you’re for change or for stagnation and impasse.”
The monarch has been meeting in recent days with Spain’s political leaders before picking one to form a government. Later Friday he was to meet with incumbent conservative premier Mariano Rajoy, whose Popular Party won the most seats with 123 but fell short of a majority in Parliament, and with Socialist leader Sanchez, whose party came second with 90 seats.
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.
So far, no group has expressed any intention of voting for Rajoy.
There was no immediate comment from the Socialists on whether Iglesias’s comments represent a breakthrough. United Left leader Alberto Garzon opened a door to talks, saying on his Twitter account he agreed “there has to be change.”
Podemos and its allies came third in the election with 69 seats in the 350-member lower house of parliament.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.