Spain parties strike deal to form government

LONDON

Spanish interim Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s party has signed a deal with the centrist Ciudadanos that could see a new government formed after nine months of political deadlock.

Rajoy will put forward his candidacy in a parliament vote on August 31 under Friday’s deal, which will see his Popular Party (PP) sign up to a series of anti-corruption measures demanded by Ciudadanos.

No party has held an overall majority in Spain since an inconclusive parliamentary election last December. A repeat election in June failed to break the deadlock, but left the PP as the largest party in parliament.

PP spokesman said the deal with Ciudadanos, the fourth-largest party, was “the beginning of a love affair,” El Pais reported.

But the two parties do not together command enough parliamentary votes to win a vote of confidence on August 31, falling six short of the required 176 seats.

If the partnership fails to win a majority a second round of voting will take place two weeks later where only a simple majority is required.

Commentators said there would be heightened pressure on the Socialists, the second-largest party, to at least abstain from the confidence vote to allow a minority government to be formed.

But Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez responded to Friday’s deal by insisting his party would continue to oppose a PP-led government.