Spanish Socialists refuse to support Rajoy gov't

Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday said his party would not support acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Rajoy is looking for the Socialists' support as they look to form a coalition or minority government in the wake of the June 26 general election. Sanchez's refusal to cooperate raises the possibility of a third general election being held after seven months of political uncertainty.

"The PSOE are not among his [Rajoy's] potential allies," Sanchez told a press conference in the Spanish Congress building following a 90 minute meeting with Rajoy.

The Socialist leader said his party would do "everything possible" to avoid a third general election, but was not willing to bow to "threats and blackmail."

"The PSOE will be part of the solution to avoid a repeat of the elections," said Sanchez, who failed to rule out his own candidacy to become prime minister.

The second general election saw the People's Party (PP) improve their representation in Congress. However, Sanchez said it was "worrying" that after meeting the leader of every party represented in the house, Rajoy had been unable to "gain one more vote other than the 137 seats he won in the general election."

"They have failed to give him a majority, so they have to open a serious dialogue based on proposals and not on threats," said Sanchez.

The PP's 137 seats in the 350-seat Congress falls short of the 176 needed for an overall majority.

Albert Rivera, the leader of center-right party Ciudadanos, said their 32 representatives would abstain in a second investiture vote to help him form a minority government.

However, should the PSOE and Spain's other parties vote against Rajoy as they have all said they will do, he would not have the support he needs. Endit