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Spanish PM declines King's offer to form new government

Xinhua, January 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Spain's incumbent Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Friday declined an offer by Spanish King Felipe VI to form a new government, saying he has not garnered enough support following last month's inconclusive elections.

"I am not in a position to present myself because I have a majority of votes against me", he said after meeting the Spanish King. Rajoy added he would remain as a candidate and would continue to look for support.

Spain's general elections on December 20 last year resulted in a fragmented parliament. Rajoy's Popular Party (PP) won 123 seats, compared to the 186 seats of 2011, losing the absolute majority in the 350-seat parliament. The Socialists won 90 seats, while Podemos, Citizens and IU won 69, 40 and two seats, respectively.

"I do not have the votes and there is no sense in trying now", Rajoy said.

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias announced on Friday after meeting Felipe VI that he was willing to form a government with the Socialists party PSOE, and the United Left party known as the IU.

Iglesias, who was the first to meet the King on Friday morning, said he was willing to meet leader of the Socialist party Sanchez and agree a package of measures for the first 100 days in office. These measures should be focused on social justice and unemployment, etc.

The leader of the Socialist Party, PSOE, was second to meet the King. After the meeting, he said that Rajoy, who won the elections, should be the one trying to form government first, although he has not won absolute majority.

After those meetings, Felipe VI has finished the first round of meetings with all the groups with representation at the Spanish parliament. Enditem