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1st LD: Spain closer to form gov't as PSOE votes to abstain in investiture vote

Xinhua, October 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Spain moved a step closer to have a new government following 10 months of political limbo after the Socialist Party (PSOE) on Sunday voted to abstain in a forthcoming investiture vote and allow Mariano Rajoy to return as prime minister.

At a meeting of the PSOE Federal Committee, the Socialists voted by 139 in favor, 96 against and two abstentions, to abstain in a second round of the investiture vote.

That decision means that the votes of the People's Party (PP) and center-right Ciudadanos will be enough to secure the simple majority for Rajoy.

Sunday's Federal Committee highlighted the divisions the issue has created in the Socialist Party, following the recent resignation of former leader Pedro Sanchez, who was in favor of voting against allowing Rajoy to form a minority government.

Spanish King Felipe VI will begin a new round of talks with party leaders on Monday after which Speaker of the Congress, Ana Pastor, is expected to confirm the date of the investiture vote which have to confirm a new government before October 31.

Some PSOE deputies are likely to disregard the Federal Committee and still oppose Rajoy, but with just 11 abstentions needed from the PSOE, the acting prime minister is virtually assured of returning to power. Endit