Rajoy prefers to "wait" ahead of possible investiture

Spanish Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Monday he would prefer to "wait" when being asked about the possibility of attempting to win an investiture vote before the Congress is dissolved on Oct. 31.

Whether or not Rajoy and his People's Party (PP) will be able to form a minority government, depends on whether the federal committee of the Socialist Party (PSOE) votes to abstain in an investiture vote or to vote against Rajoy.

An abstention would permit the PP to govern with the support of center-right formation, Ciudadanos, but a "no" from the PSOE would leave Rajoy's party short of the votes required.

"We are going to wait," said Rajoy in reply to a question as he visited the University of Salamanca, adding it was "important for everyone to work together for the great objectives of the country."

While Rajoy preferred to wait for the PSOE's decision, the divisions in the PSOE were highlighted by contrasting declarations from different branches of the party on Monday.

The Andalusian branch of the party, led by Susana Diaz, has made it clear they favor abstaining.

"It is clear that the executive of the PSOE in Andalusia says that we should not block the formation of a government if there is no alternative...this country doesn't deserve new elections," Juan Cornejo, the party secretary in the region told the press.

This view has clashed directly with that held by Miquel Iceta, who on Saturday was re-elected as leader of the party in the Catalan region.

"We will vote 'no' to Rajoy whatever the cost because abstaining would be bad for Spain and also bad for the PSOE," he said in an interview published in the El Pais newspaper.

Finally, a group of PSOE members have organized a demonstration for Oct. 22, saying any decision taken by the party's federal committee should be ratified by a vote of all party members. Endit