Spain: Socialists rule out support for conservative PM govt

Anti-austerity party, Podemos and liberal Ciudadanos, made big gains, as the conservative Popular Party (PP) lost its majority.

“Podemos would not permit a PP government, either actively or passively”, Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias told reporters, meaning that his party will neither vote for PP rule nor abstain in a parliamentary vote on a new government.

Spain’s leading opposition Socialist party Monday said it would vote against acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s candidacy to form a new government, thus killing one of Rajoy’s options to stay in power after voters elected a fragmented Parliament.

Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said his Popular Party (PP) will attempt to form a government following Sunday’s elections, despite losing its parliamentary majority.

The Socialist Party received 90 seats, while Podemos and its allies won 69 and Ciudadanos received 40.

“What most worries me is what the new government will look like and how it will govern”, said PP supporter, 29-year-old teacher Carlos Fernandez, standing outside the party headquarters in central Madrid.

Over the last few years, Mr Rajoy’s administration adopted austerity measures and job reforms that despite their unpopularity have been credited with returning the Spanish economy to growth after years of adversity brought on by a series of harsh financial crises and corruption scandals that damaged the reputation of the PP. Unemployment remains high.

But Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez said the result clearly showed “Spain wants a move to the left”, adding that he and his party were ready for talks that could lead to a governing accord.

Rajoy had positioned himself as a safe pair of hands who dragged the country away from economic collapse when he took power in 2011 and put it on the path of recovery.

An alliance between the Socialists, Podemos and the former communists of Izquierda Unida would get 169 seats at best, although they could potentially attract a further 15 seats from smaller leftist regional groups. A highly unlikely scenario, analysts say, as Podemos will not want to get into bed with the PSOE – vying as it is to replace it as the country’s main left-wing party.

Luena said his party “will vote “no” to the PP”, though referring only to the first round, when Rajoy will need an absolute majority in the 350-seat parliament. It is a phase of unprecedented ungovernability for the country: the only certainty is that the next government will have to be supported by a coalition yet to be determined and that is very reminiscent of the Italian political scene.

In an early bid to soothe concerns, Rajoy had said he would do all he could to form a government, standing on a podium in Madrid marked “Gracias” (“Thank you”) and speaking down to cheering supporters. The parties included the Socialists and Podemos, who pledged to restore funding slashed from social welfare and education programs.

Sunday’s election in Spain was not the first to end in a hung parliament. If no candidate secures a majority within two months of the first vote, new elections have to be held.