MADRID (Sputnik) – Sanchez secured the support of only 131 parliament members on Friday, while 219 voted against his candidacy including from the right-wing People’s Party (PP) led by acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy and the left-wing Podemos party.
Both PP and Podemos lawmakers voted against Sanchez in the first vote, held on Wednesday. Then, 130 parliament members supported Sanchez, while 219 were against (one abstained).
On December 20, Spain held a general election that ended the established two-party system, in place in the country for more than 30 years. The People’s Party (PP) won 123 seats in the lower house of parliament, 64 less that in the previous election. PSOE won 90, and Podemos came third, securing 69 seats. At least 176 seats are required for a parliamentary majority, necessary to form a government.
Spain’s parties now have two months to attempt to form an alternative governing majority. If they fail, King Felipe VI will dissolve the parliament and call a new election, most likely on June 26.
