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Socialist leader Sanchez loses first bid to be name Spanish prime minister

Xinhua, March 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

The leader of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), Pedro Sanchez failed on Wednesday in his first bid to be named as Spanish Prime Minister after he was defeated in the first investiture vote in the Spanish Congress.

Sanchez managed to win just 130 votes in favor, those of the 90 PSOE deputies and the 40 members of the center-right party Citizens (C's). Meanwhile, the representative of the Canary Island Coalition abstained.

However, the opposition to Sanchez in the 350-seat Congress were able to muster 219 votes as the right-wing Peoples Party (123 members), left-wing Podemos (69 members) and various other parties, including Basque and Catalan nationalists voted against him.

Podemos voted against Sanchez, despite his attempts to win them over during his speech on Tuesday when he commented that 18 million Spaniards had voted for the government of Mariano Rajoy not to continue.

"18 million Spaniards are expecting a different government, one that will repair the consequences of the mistakes that have been made and clear the path for different and better policies...Do we want a government based on agreement? Yes or no?" Sanchez had asked.

However, Podemos leader, Pablo Iglesias, criticized Sanchez's decision to sign a pact with C's, saying that if the Socialist leader had opted to a pact with his party, "Spain would now have a government."

Nevertheless, he added that it was not too late for Sanchez to change his mind and for the PSOE and Podemos parties to "govern together."

Acting Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy meanwhile poured scorn on Sanchez's attempts to form a government with only the support of C's, saying it was a "bluff" and a "comedy," to which Sanchez replied he had made his attempt after Rajoy had turn down the chance to form a government citing a lack of support.

Sanchez has a second chance to be named Prime Minister when a second vote is held on Friday in which he only needs to win a simple majority, rather that the absolute majority needed on Wednesday, but unless he is able to reach a late agreement with Podemos he looks bound to fail.

Should Sanchez fail on Friday, King Felipe will hold a further round of meetings with party leaders in order to find a possible candidate to be the next Prime Minister. If nobody is able to form a government within 60 days from today Congress will be dissolved and new elections called. Endit