Leftist leader offers way out of Spain’s political deadlock
Spain: Rajoy turns down offer to form new government
(about 5 hours later)
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.
MADRID — Spain’s incumbent conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy turned down an offer Friday by King Felipe VI to try to form a new government following last month’s inconclusive elections, the Royal Palace said.
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 palace announced the decision shortly after the monarch met with Rajoy to wrap up a week of talks with party leaders before nominating a candidate.
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.
In a statement, the palace said the king will begin fresh talks with party leaders next Wednesday in a bid to find another candidate.
“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.”
Rajoy’s Popular Party won most seats — 123 — in the Dec. 20 election but failed to garner a majority in the 350-seat lower house of Parliament.
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 king will now most likely call on opposition Socialist party leader Pedro Sanchez to try to from a government. The Socialists came second in the election with 90 seats and appear to have more chances of mustering support from other groups in Parliament to form a coalition.
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 nominated candidate must win a vote of confidence in Parliament. If no party leader manages to win Parliament support within two months of the first vote, fresh elections must be called.
So far, no group has expressed any intention of voting for Rajoy.
No group had expressed any intention of voting for Rajoy, which made parliamentary approval for him highly unlikely.
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.”
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Podemos and its allies came third in the election with 69 seats in the 350-member lower house of parliament.
Hatton contributed from Lisbon, Portugal.
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.
