Socialist Pedro Sánchez loses first investiture vote / Two more months of uncertainty await, as Socialists lose second vote

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Series Details 02.03.16
Publication Date 02/03/2016
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After the first day of debate in Spain's lower chamber of the parliament on 2 March 2016, Socialist Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sánchez was unsuccessful in his bid to be voted in as the country's next prime minister.

Mr Sánchez needed the support of other parties following inconclusive general elections on 20 December 2015. In the end, from a total of 350 seats, he counted on 90 from his own group and 40 from emerging centre-right group Ciudadanos, with whom the PSOE had signed a policy agreement the week before.

There were 219 votes against and one abstention. Sánchez needed 176 votes for an absolute majority.

Socialist Party leader Pedro Sánchez was again unsuccessful on the 4 March 2016 at a second investiture vote, at which deputies in Spain’s lower house rejected his candidature as prime minister.

Spanish MPs now had until 2 May 2016 to elect a Prime Minister, or re-run elections would have to be called to take place possibly in June 2016.

As the stalemate there were tensions breaking out in both the left Podemos Party and the right Popular Party as to the way forward.

On the 23 March 2016 Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez and Podemos chief Pablo Iglesias decided to explore new possibilities for a deal that could give Spain a functioning government and avoid the need for a new election.

Socialist Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sánchez on the 30 March 2016 insisted that any governing deal would have to include both of Spain’s emerging parties, Podemos and Ciudadanos. Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias however still insisted that Sánchez should break his association with Ciudadanos.

Representatives of the Socialists, Podemos and Ciudadanos met for their first coalition talks since the inconclusive December 2015 election on the 7 April 2016. However, no progress was made. Unless the parties could agree on a power-sharing agreement by the 2 May 2016, fresh polls would be called on the 26 June 2016.

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