King of Spain becomes acting president to form new government

Pedro Sánchez and his party will negotiate with Congress to form a majority

The King of Spain , Felipe VI, on Wednesday appointed Socialist leader and interim President Pedro Sánchez as a candidate to form an effective government, although the PSOE party has not yet obtained a parliamentary majority. required.

Congresswoman Meritxell Batet announced on Wednesday the monarch's decision in a press statement, but did not detail when the inaugural motion could be made in the Congress of Deputies.

A few minutes after this announcement, Sánchez declared that he accepted the mission and that next Monday he and the PSOE will make a round of contacts with all parties present in the Congress of Deputies to negotiate the formation of a parliamentary majority that makes a new government possible. .

Speaking at the Palacio de la Moncloa, Sánchez said that “there is no possible alternative” in light of the results of the November 10 general election, and therefore demanded that the other parties “assume their responsibilities” so that the country can have a government "as soon as possible".

“Spain needs a period of stability. The choice is government or misrule, ”he said.

Since April Spain has had an interim government, within a long period of political turmoil that has caused the country to have four elections in four years.

On November 12, Sánchez agreed to a coalition government with the left-wing United Nations (UP), but both together have 155 of the 350 seats in Congress, so they need to get more support to have a parliamentary majority.