Pedro Sánchez fails in first attempt to form new Spain’s government

Spain’s Socialist party leader, Pedro Sánchez, has failed in his first attempt to form a new government after the anti-austerity Unidas Podemos party abstained in a parliamentary vote. Sánchez, who has been acting prime minister since an inconclusive election in April, needed an absolute majority of at least 176 votes in his favour in the 350-seat house to be confirmed as PM. Instead he received 124 votes in favour and 170 against, and there were 52 abstentions. The vote now goes to a second round on Thursday when Sánchez only needs a simple majority – ie more “yes” than “no” votes. In the meantime he needs to strike a deal with Podemos in order to secure its MPs’ votes. At the weekend Pablo Iglesias agreed to step aside as Podemos leader after Sánchez accused him of being the main obstacle to forming a coalition. But any hope that Sánchez would respond by offering Podemos senior ministerial positions failed to materialise. The party was apparently offered the new ministries of youth and housing, as well the vice-presidency for Irene Montero, the Podemos number two and Iglesias’s partner. However, the offer was rejected on the grounds that the posts, which Podemos dismissed [...]

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