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Spain's Rajoy loses vote, but stage set for victory on Saturday

Xinhua, October 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

People's Party leader and the candidate to be the next Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, was defeated in his first attempt to return to power on Thursday when the 350 seat Congress rejected his candidacy by 180 votes to 170.

Rajoy was supported by the 137 PP deputies, as well as the 32 of center-right force Ciudadanos and the single member of the Canary Island coalition.

Meanwhile every other party in Congress, including the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) voted against him.

The Spanish Constitution states Rajoy needed an overall majority on Thursday to return to office, but with the Socialists confirming they will abstain in Saturday's second vote when he only needs to win more votes in favor that against to win, little has changed.

PSOE spokesman Carlos Hernando had the job of explaining his party's decision to allow Rajoy to form a government (and presumably to pass the next budget).

He said the PSOE didn't "like the prime minister, but we like the country," adding that it was vital to avoid a third general election in a year.

"The abstention will allow him (Rajoy) to form a government but it is not a support for their policies," he said in a speech which received no applause from former PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez and those close to him, who many speculate could break ranks with the party and vote against Rajoy's investiture on Saturday.

Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias highlighted the ongoing problems the PP have with corruption cases such as the "Caso Gurtel" which is currently in trail and said there were "possibly more potential delinquents in the chamber than outside of it."

Meanwhile Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera said that Rajoy would have to fulfil the promises made to his party in order to earn their support.

"If he doesn't do that, he will not last long," commented Rivera. Endit