Spain's Rajoy takes “decisive step” to form governmentAugust 18, 2016 - 18:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Thursday, August 18 he had taken a "decisive step" towards forming a government by agreeing to a pact with a smaller rival, but still lacks the majority he needs for a second term, Reuters reports. Spain has been mired in a political limbo after elections in December and June left all parties short of a majority and unable to agree on terms to govern together. Rajoy, whose conservative People's Party (PP) came first in both ballots, said he was now ready to face a parliamentary vote to form a government. He still lacks the backing he needs from the second-placed Socialists, but he told a news conference he had agreed to terms demanded by the smaller centrist Ciudadanos ("Citizens") party to win their support. "We have taken a decisive step towards forming a government so that there will not be another election," Rajoy told journalists after meeting Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera. Rajoy said he would ask the speaker of Spain's parliament later on Thursday to set a date for the investiture vote. Ciudadanos came fourth in the Dec. 20 and June 26 elections. It had set out a six-point pact of anti-corruption and political reform measures as a condition of its support. Even with Ciudadanos, the PP will still be seven seats short of a majority in the 176-seat lower house of parliament, meaning Rajoy needs at least an abstention from the Socialists to win an investiture vote. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. Armenia: Rescue workers restore pedestrian bridge for flood-hit community Rescue workers on Wednesday, June 5 restored a pedestrian bridge in the town of Alaverdi in Armenia’s north. Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. |