Spanish Socialist Party Leader Rejects Support for PM Rajoy’s New Term

The leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday that his party would vote against extension of the Popular Party’s leader and the current country's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's mandate for another term.

MADRID (Sputnik) — Spain’s ruling People’s Party (PP) won the Sunday general elections, getting 123 seats in the country’s parliament, 63 less than it obtained in the 2011 vote. PP's traditional rival PSOE secured 90 seats. Left-wing Podemos came third, gaining 69 seats. At least 176 seats are needed to have parliamentary majority.

"We will not support Rajoy as prime minister," Sanchez said at a press conference after talks with Rajoy adding that abstention during the confidence vote is not an option for the party as well.

He added that the Spaniards at the election asked for change, while an end of the rule of Rajoy’s government would meet their expectations.

Rajoy will face the first parliamentary vote on the re-assumption of his position as the country's prime minister in January. If he fails to gain 50 percent support of lawmakers, a second vote will be held where he will be required to get more votes for his candidacy than against it.

If no decision is made in a two-month period, a fresh general election will take place in Spain.