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Roundup: Rajoy wins investiture vote to become Spanish PM

Xinhua, October 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Mariano Rajoy won the investiture vote to become Spain's prime minister due to the 68 abstentions of members of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE).

Rajoy of People's Party (PP) was elected by simple majority with 170 votes in favor, 111 against and 68 abstentions.

Members of the Socialist Party abstained in order to ease the investiture, a controversial decision that caused division within the main opposition party. The party's former leader Pedro Sanchez resigned as member of the parliament hours before the vote.

"I deeply disagree with allowing Mariano Rajoy to govern," he said.

"Between the options given by the management committee, I do not choose any of them. I will not go against my party and I will not go against my manifesto commitment either," he added.

68 MPs of Spain's Socialist Party abstained due to the decision taken last weekend in a Federal Committee. However, some members of the Socialist Party voted against.

Rajoy lost the first investiture vote on Thursday but he was expected to win the second vote on Saturday due to the abstentions. However, wining by simple majority, he will still have to face some difficulties.

After being reappointed as prime minister, Rajoy told reporters "there is still a lot to do and on this occasion we will rule looking for agreements with everyone," he said, "I hope we can rule and work together."

Rajoy said his party had worked very well, thanked all the Spaniards who trusted him and assured he would rule for all Spaniards, those who voted for his party and those who did not.

Spain held a general election for the second time in six months in June after political parties could not reach an agreement after December general election to form a government.

June election left a hung parliament again, but because of the abstention of the Socialists, Rajoy's People's Party will be able to form a government and the country has avoided a third general election. Enditem