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Spain Socialists again seek parliament support to form govt Spain’s Socialists stage 2nd attempt to form government
(about 11 hours later)
MADRID — Spanish parliamentarians are to hold a second debate and vote on Socialist party leader Pedro Sanchez*s bid to form a government, but the signs are he won’t be able to muster sufficient support from other parties. MADRID — Spain’s political leaders on Friday debated the bid by Socialist Party chief Pedro Sanchez to form a government ahead of a vote he appears set to lose, an outcome that would extend the nation’s political paralysis following inconclusive December elections.
Friday evening’s debate comes after Sanchez failed to get the backing of a majority of deputies in a first round Wednesday. This time, Sanchez only needs more votes in favor than against, but even that seems unlikely. Sanchez lost his first try Wednesday when he got just 130 votes in the 350-member lower house of Parliament — 90 from his Socialists and 40 from the new business friendly Ciudadanos party.
The Socialists won 90 seats in the 350-seat parliament in the Dec. 20 elections and so far have only got the support of centrist Ciudadanos’ 40 deputies. The conservative Popular Party, led by acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, and the new far-left newcomer Podemos party were expected to join with several small parties Friday to once again deny Sanchez’ attempt at becoming prime minister.
If Sanchez fails again, the Parliament has two months to choose a new government or face new elections June 26. If Sanchez fails in the second attempt mandated by law, Parliament has two months to choose a new government. And if no parties manage to do so, a new national election will be called for June 26.
The Popular Party came in first in the Dec. 20 election but fell far short of winning back the parliamentary majority it held from 2011 to 2015. The Socialists got second place.
Podemos and Cuidadanos took third and fourth places in their national election debuts.
They benefited from widespread voter outrage over Spain’s 21 percent unemployment rate, unpopular austerity measures invoked by the Popular Party and corruption scandals hitting the Popular and Socialist parties that have alternated ruling the nation for decades.
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Associated Press writer Ciaran Giles in Madrid contributed to this report.
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.