Spain's Socialist leader loses bid to form government

PanARMENIAN.Net - Spain's Socialist leader has lost a bid to form a government after both main rival parties voted down his attempts to form a coalition, BBC News reports.

Pedro Sanchez has been trying to secure support for a coalition government with the centre-right Ciudadanos party following inconclusive December polls.

In an often acrimonious debate, acting PM Mariano Rajoy said a Socialist-led coalition would be a threat to Spain's national interests.

Another vote will be held on Friday, March 4. If that vote is also unsuccessful, parliament will have a further two months to choose a government. If it is unable to do, fresh elections will be held on 26 June.

Sanchez needed an absolute majority in Wednesday's confidence vote but lost, with 219 votes against, 130 in favour and one abstention in the 350-seat lower house.

In an address to parliament on Tuesday, Sanchez called for the formation of a coalition based on common interests. He said a Socialist-led government would enact a series of progressive measures such as a minimum wage increase and a gender wage-gap law.