Socialists, Podemos, Citizens to meet over possible coalition in Spain

Representatives of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), Citizens (C's) and left wing formation Podemos will hold a meeting in the Spanish Congress on Thursday to open talks over the formation of a possible coalition government, representatives of the three parties have confirmed.

It will be the first time representatives of the three parties have sat down together since the Dec. 20 general election left Spain with a hung parliament.

The talks were arranged following last week's meeting between PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez and Podemos' Pablo Iglesias after Iglesias said he was willing to make concessions on earlier demands for forming part of a coalition.

"It is worthwhile making the effort," said PSOE spokesman in the Senate Oscar Lopez on Spanish TV on Tuesday morning.

Although the three parties don't agree on economic and social policies, they have common ground on issues such as electoral, constitutional and labor reform, as well as their opposition to the controversial and unpopular Law for the Protection of Citizens' Security, which was passed in 2015.

Monday saw Podemos' Political Secretary Inigo Errejon comment that his party could work with C's on issues of "political regeneration", while C's, who have previously said they would refuse to share a government with Podemos asked the left wing party to vote "yes" to the pact they have signed with the PSOE.

Early March saw Podemos vote against Pedro Sanchez's attempt to be named as prime minister in the investiture debate held in the Spanish Congress. The PSOE, who had the support of center-right C's were only able to muster 130 votes in the 350 seat Congress and were defeated, but should Podemos agree to a pact the three parties would have a majority with 199 seats.

It should also be highlighted that if no agreement is reached to form a government by May 3, Congress will be dissolved and new elections called for June 26. Endit