Sánchez confirms socialists ‘no’ to Rajoy

Barcelona (CNA).- The leader of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE), Pedro Sánchez, confirmed that they will vote ‘no’ to Mariano Rajoy in the confidence vote scheduled for Wednesday. Sánchez and the interim Spanish President, Mariano Rajoy, had a short meeting on Monday during which the socialist leader confirmed his intention to vote against a new conservative government in Spain. The People’s Party (PP) and Ciutadans (C’s) agreed on Sunday a 150-point plan to form a new Spanish government, but they do not have enough support in parliament. Rajoy will face a confidence vote on Wednesday, and a second one on Friday if the first ballot fails. According to Sánchez, the socialists cannot be blamed for the expected failure of Rajoy.

The Spanish interim president and leader of the PP, Mariano Rajoy, said that he will continue to push for a new government even if he fails this week. Rajoy added that he has a “responsibility” to keep trying and warned that a third general election in Spain could be a disaster. “I have told Sánchez that if we have elections again there is a risk that people would no longer take us seriously”, he pointed out. Rajoy also said that the economic recovery in Spain could be hampered if there is not a functioning government soon.

Spain has been in a political deadlock since December 2015, when a general election produced an inconclusive result and no party was able to form a government. A second ballot, in June 2016, showed stronger support for the PP, but still not big enough to achieve a majority. Catalan parties ERC and PDC, who are usually crucial in forming majorities in Spain, have 17 seats in the Spanish Parliament. However, they are excluded from negotiations because they are pro-independence and no major party in Spain (except Podemos) is willing to even consider the idea of a referendum in Catalonia, something that could gain them the support of these 18 MPs.