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Mariano Rajoy Set to Lead Spain as 10 Months of Deadlock Come to an End Mariano Rajoy Set to Lead Spain as 10 Months of Deadlock Come to an End
(about 4 hours later)
BARCELONA, Spain — Mariano Rajoy, Spain’s caretaker prime minister, is set to form a new government, after the main opposition party, the Socialists, voted on Sunday not to block his re-election.BARCELONA, Spain — Mariano Rajoy, Spain’s caretaker prime minister, is set to form a new government, after the main opposition party, the Socialists, voted on Sunday not to block his re-election.
The federal committee of the Socialist Party voted 139 to 96 in favor of abstaining from a parliamentary vote next weekend, which would allow Mr. Rajoy to continue in office and avoid a third national election, after 10 months of political deadlock. The federal committee of the Socialist Party voted 139 to 96 in favor of abstaining from a parliamentary vote next weekend that would allow Mr. Rajoy to continue in office and avoid a third national election, after 10 months of political deadlock.
Mr. Rajoy will have to lead a minority conservative government that faces serious territorial and budgetary challenges.Mr. Rajoy will have to lead a minority conservative government that faces serious territorial and budgetary challenges.
Spain has been threatened with a European Union fine for failing to meet deficit targets agreed with Brussels. And the separatist regional government in Catalonia has pledged to hold an independence referendum in 2017, despite fierce opposition from Madrid and Spanish courts. Spain has been threatened with a European Union fine for failing to meet deficit targets agreed upon with Brussels. And the separatist regional government in Catalonia has pledged to hold an independence referendum in 2017, despite fierce opposition from Madrid and Spanish courts.
A year ago, Mr. Rajoy convened a national election that his Popular Party entered with a parliamentary majority. Mr. Rajoy’s party then received the most votes in two elections, in December and in June, but each time without coming close to a majority.A year ago, Mr. Rajoy convened a national election that his Popular Party entered with a parliamentary majority. Mr. Rajoy’s party then received the most votes in two elections, in December and in June, but each time without coming close to a majority.
In that time, Parliament has fragmented into four major forces after the emergence of two parties, the leftist Podemos and the centrist Ciudadanos. In June, Mr. Rajoy’s party won 137 of the 350 seats, ahead of the 85 seats won by the Socialists, their worst-ever result.In that time, Parliament has fragmented into four major forces after the emergence of two parties, the leftist Podemos and the centrist Ciudadanos. In June, Mr. Rajoy’s party won 137 of the 350 seats, ahead of the 85 seats won by the Socialists, their worst-ever result.
On Monday, the king, Felipe VI, will open a new round of consultations with party leaders before Parliament reconvenes. A final vote on Mr. Rajoy’s re-election is expected either Saturday or Sunday, just ahead of a deadline of Oct. 31 to avoid a third election.On Monday, the king, Felipe VI, will open a new round of consultations with party leaders before Parliament reconvenes. A final vote on Mr. Rajoy’s re-election is expected either Saturday or Sunday, just ahead of a deadline of Oct. 31 to avoid a third election.
Arguably, Mr. Rajoy’s main advantage is that the long period of deadlock has left his main rivals even more weakened than he is.Arguably, Mr. Rajoy’s main advantage is that the long period of deadlock has left his main rivals even more weakened than he is.
Although Sunday’s Socialist vote almost certainly guarantees an end to Spain’s political limbo, it leaves the Socialists facing a serious crisis, largely self-inflicted, after a bitter leadership dispute.Although Sunday’s Socialist vote almost certainly guarantees an end to Spain’s political limbo, it leaves the Socialists facing a serious crisis, largely self-inflicted, after a bitter leadership dispute.
Three weeks ago, Pedro Sánchez, the Socialist leader, resigned after losing a chaotic battle against other senior party members, who were opposed to preventing Mr. Rajoy’s re-election. Mr. Sánchez unsuccessfully tried to circumvent his internal rivals by having the ordinary party members support him as party leader, but he has since not ruled out making another bid to regain the party leadership.Three weeks ago, Pedro Sánchez, the Socialist leader, resigned after losing a chaotic battle against other senior party members, who were opposed to preventing Mr. Rajoy’s re-election. Mr. Sánchez unsuccessfully tried to circumvent his internal rivals by having the ordinary party members support him as party leader, but he has since not ruled out making another bid to regain the party leadership.
After Sunday’s vote, Javier Fernández, the caretaker manager of the Socialist party, called on each Socialist lawmaker to abide by the result and not vote against Mr. Rajoy next weekend. But some supporters of Mr. Sánchez made clear their dissatisfaction with a party decision that they claim will allow Mr. Rajoy to start another government with the tacit support of the Socialists.After Sunday’s vote, Javier Fernández, the caretaker manager of the Socialist party, called on each Socialist lawmaker to abide by the result and not vote against Mr. Rajoy next weekend. But some supporters of Mr. Sánchez made clear their dissatisfaction with a party decision that they claim will allow Mr. Rajoy to start another government with the tacit support of the Socialists.
“We have taken a step back in terms of being the alternative” to a conservative government, Sara Hernández, a Socialist official, told reporters after Sunday’s vote.“We have taken a step back in terms of being the alternative” to a conservative government, Sara Hernández, a Socialist official, told reporters after Sunday’s vote.
On Sunday, Mr. Sánchez also issued a defiant message on Twitter in which he warned that “soon the moment will come when the militancy will recover and reconstruct” its own party.On Sunday, Mr. Sánchez also issued a defiant message on Twitter in which he warned that “soon the moment will come when the militancy will recover and reconstruct” its own party.
Earlier this year, Mr. Sánchez unsuccessfully tried to form a government of his own. His failed attempt highlighted the serious tensions between the Socialists and Podemos, the upstart party that has been hoping to become Spain’s main left-wing choice. Earlier this year, Mr. Sánchez unsuccessfully tried to form a government of his own. His failed attempt highlighted the serious tensions between the Socialists and Podemos, the upstart party that hopes to become Spain’s main left-wing choice.
On Sunday, Pablo Iglesias, the leader of Podemos, accused the Socialists of forming “a grand coalition” with Mr. Rajoy’s Popular Party by allowing his re-election.On Sunday, Pablo Iglesias, the leader of Podemos, accused the Socialists of forming “a grand coalition” with Mr. Rajoy’s Popular Party by allowing his re-election.
The Socialist vote, Mr. Iglesias said, will leave Podemos as the only major opposition party.The Socialist vote, Mr. Iglesias said, will leave Podemos as the only major opposition party.
Since June, however, when Podemos suffered its first election setback, Mr. Iglesias has also been struggling to keep his grip on the party leadership.Since June, however, when Podemos suffered its first election setback, Mr. Iglesias has also been struggling to keep his grip on the party leadership.