Pedro Sánchez resigns as leader of Spain's Socialist party
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Version 0 of 5. 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. 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. 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. “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.” 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. If no government is formed before the end of October, a third election will be called in December. |