MADRID (Sputnik) — Rajoy fell six votes short of the 176 votes needed in the 350-member lower house of parliament known as the Congress of Deputies. His candidacy was upheld by 170 votes from the right-wing People's Party (PP), the liberal Citizens party and the Canarian Coalition. A total of 180 lawmakers from other parties voted against Rajoy's premiership.
The second round of voting, with a simple majority required to grant Rajoy his second term in office, is scheduled to be held on Saturday.
The Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) has pledged to abstain, giving Rajoy the prime ministerial post.
