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Pedro Sánchez resigns as leader of Spain's Socialist party Pedro Sánchez resigns as leader of Spain's Socialist party
(about 3 hours later)
The leader of Spain’s Socialist party, Pedro Sánchez, has resigned after losing a party assembly vote, a step that could pave the way for the formation of a new government and end nine months of political deadlock. Pedro Sánchez has resigned as leader of Spain’s Socialist party after losing a vote triggered by a party revolt. The move could pave the way for the formation of a new government and end a nine-month political deadlock.
Sánchez has led a long stand-off with acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative People’s party, which won the most votes but fell short of a majority in two inconclusive elections, and the dispute has frustrated attempts to form a government. Sánchez had been in a stand-off with acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s People’s party, frustrating attempts to form a government after two elections left the conservatives with the most votes, but shy of a majority.
The party’s members met on Saturday to decide whether to open up a leadership race in October, as proposed by Sánchez, or oust him, after the Socialist leadership tore itself in two this week. Members of the bitterly divided Socialist assembly met on Saturday to decide whether to open up a leadership race in October, as proposed by Sánchez, or oust him.
“I have always believed that the Socialist party had to provide an alternative, unfortunately it has not been possible ... I offer my resignation,” Sánchez told fellow party members after losing the vote, according to a source from his entourage. “It has been an honour.” Shouts from the meeting at the party headquarters in Madrid were heard from outside as members argued over what the vote should be. One person stormed out before the end, saying the party was “broken”, and Sánchez eventually lost by 132 votes to 107 after a tumultuous 10-hour debate.
By ousting Sánchez, who has presided over a slump in the party’s support, the Socialist rebels hope to find ways to avoid another election, including a potential abstention in a confidence vote on allowing Rajoy a second term. “Today, following a day of intense debates, a vote was held on whether a party conference should take place on 23 October so that the grassroots could pick their leader Unfortunately, I have lost this vote and I have resigned as secretary general of the party,” Sanchez told a news conference.
If no government is formed before the end of October, a third election will be called in December. The departure of Sánchez, who became leader in 2014 and has presided over a slump in party support, means the Socialists can now try to find ways to avoid a third election, such as abstaining in a confidence vote to allow Rajoy a second term.
The Socialists will be under interim management until a party conference can choose a new leader. Party insiders say the powerful head of the Andalusia region, Susana Díaz, is the favourite, though it is not clear when a new secretary general will be picked.