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King names Socialist leader Sanchez as candidate to become Spanish Prime Minister

Xinhua, February 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Pedro Sanchez, the leader of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), was on Tuesday nominated by King Felipe VI as the candidate to try and form a viable government for Spain.

The announcement was made by the Spanish Parliament Speaker, Patxi Lopez, at the end of the second round of talks between the King and the leaders of Spain's political parties.

Lopez made the announcement barely an hour after acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy admitted for the second time in 10 days that he would not for the moment present himself as a candidate at an investiture debate.

"I told the King we do not have the support," said Rajoy, who insisted he had not given up on remaining as Prime Minister of a coalition led by his People's Party with the support of the PSOE and center-right formation Citizens.

Rajoy's refusal opened the door for Sanchez to try and form a government, although Lopez admitted that it could be "3-4 weeks" before any investiture debate.

Sanchez met King Felipe on Tuesday morning and said he was willing to attempt to form a government.

"I told the king that the Socialist Party is ready to form a government if Rajoy renounces his obligation," said Sanchez in his posterior press conference.

"Rajoy has given up on presenting a political project for Spaniards for the next four years," explained the Socialist leader, adding he didn't believe "Spaniards would understand it if the forces of change did not unite to bring about" an end to the political deadlock which has existed since the December general election left a hung Parliament with the PP winning 123 seats in the 350 seat Congress, while the PSOE won 90, left wing Podemos 69 and Citizens 40.

Citizens leader Albert Rivera welcomed the news and said his party were willing to listen to proposals from the PSOE, while Podemos leader, Pablo Iglesias expressed his desire for a coalition with Sanchez.

However both Rivera and Iglesias also said they would not form part of a government containing the other party which means that unless he pacts with nationalist parties (something Citizens are firmly opposed to), Sanchez would still be short of a majority. Endit