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Spanish Socialists defeated in first vote on coalition plan
Source: Reuters
World | Wed Mar 2, 2016 2:56pm EST
Spanish Socialists defeated in first vote on coalition plan
MADRID | BY SARAH WHITE AND BLANCA RODRÍGUEZ
A coalition plan by Spanish Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez stumbled at the first hurdle on Wednesday as rivals on the left and right voted against it in parliament and set in motion a two-month countdown to avoid another election.
Spain has made little headway in resolving a political deadlock since a fragmented election result in December, when voters turned in their millions to anti-austerity Podemos ('We Can') and newcomer liberal party Ciudadanos ('Citizens').
All parties fell well short of an absolute majority in parliament and their jockeying for power has yet to yield a coalition with enough seats to get over the line.
The Socialists' plan to team with Ciudadanos failed, as expected, to win the endorsement of the 176 votes needed in the 350-seat parliament, paving the way for a tricky second vote later this week.
The defeat sets the clock ticking on a two-month window for parties to form a government, after which a new parliamentary election would be called, probably at the end of June.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Spanish Socialists defeated in first vote on coalition plan
MADRID | BY SARAH WHITE AND BLANCA RODRÍGUEZ
A coalition plan by Spanish Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez stumbled at the first hurdle on Wednesday as rivals on the left and right voted against it in parliament and set in motion a two-month countdown to avoid another election.
Spain has made little headway in resolving a political deadlock since a fragmented election result in December, when voters turned in their millions to anti-austerity Podemos ('We Can') and newcomer liberal party Ciudadanos ('Citizens').
All parties fell well short of an absolute majority in parliament and their jockeying for power has yet to yield a coalition with enough seats to get over the line.
The Socialists' plan to team with Ciudadanos failed, as expected, to win the endorsement of the 176 votes needed in the 350-seat parliament, paving the way for a tricky second vote later this week.
The defeat sets the clock ticking on a two-month window for parties to form a government, after which a new parliamentary election would be called, probably at the end of June.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-politics-idUSKCN0W40VY
