Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday, January 22 abandoned attempts to form a government due to lack of support in parliament, a statement issued by the royal palace said, a month after inconclusive elections, AFP reports.

The announcement came after the king, who had held a series of meetings with the leaders of political parties that won representation in parliament, invited Rajoy, of the conservative Popular Party (PP), to form a government.

"His majesty the King nominated him to form a government. Mr Mariano Rajoy thanked his majesty the King but declined the offer," the statement said, according to AFP.

The king will now hold a fresh round of consultations to chose another candidate.

The PP won the most seats (119) in the December poll but fell well short of an absolute majority in the 350-seat parliament.

Rajoy had called for a "grand coalition" of the PP, the Socialists who came in second place winning 89 seats, and new centre-right party Ciudadanos which took 40 seats.

But with no party expressing any intention of voting for Rajoy, and with only Ciudadanos offering to abstain from voting, Rajoy decided to withdraw.

"For the moment, I don't have the necessary support. I am maintaining my candidacy but I cannot present it today because not only do I not have a majority but there is a majority against me," he told reporters.