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Spain's acting PM Rajoy fails to win vote to form gov't

Xinhua, September 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the Party (PP) failed Wednesday to win a government investiture at the Spanish Congress of Deputies with 180 votes against and 170 in favor.

After two days of debate at the Spanish Congress of Deputies, where different political parties voiced their opinions, Rajoy only gained the support of centre-right party Ciudadanos (32 seats) and Coalicion Canaria (one seat).

After voting, Spain's acting Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said: "Spain cannot afford a third general election."

He hoped the leader of the main opposition Socialists party Pedro Sanchez supports Rajoy in the coming hours.

Members of the parliament will meet again on Friday in order to vote in a second attempt to form government.

Spain has held general elections in June this year and December 2015. The results left a hung parliament with political parties unable to reach agreement in order to form government. Endit