SPAIN: On Wednesday, Spanish conservative leader Alberto Núñez Feijoo was unable to garner sufficient support in the lower house to attain the position of prime minister.
Feijoo, whose People’s Party secured the most seats in the inconclusive July election, fell short of persuading legislators from other parties to endorse him to achieve an absolute majority.
Feijoo garnered 172 votes in favour and faced 178 votes against, with no abstentions. According to Spanish law, Feijoo has the opportunity for a second attempt on Friday, where a simple majority would suffice for his election as prime minister.
While Feijoo had the initial opportunity to form a government, Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez appears to have a more realistic, albeit challenging, chance of gaining parliamentary support for another term.
“It is clear that we have done everything we can and that Spain can rest assured, because we are going to continue to work for it,” Feijoo told reporters following the vote.
If Feijoo’s Friday attempt proves unsuccessful, Sanchez will be required to engage in negotiations with Catalan pro-independence parties, who are stipulating a controversial and unpopular amnesty for leaders and activists involved in the 2017 attempt to secede from Spain as a condition for their support.
If Sanchez is unsuccessful, he would have a two-month window to secure an agreement before new elections are called.
Also Read: Challenges Facing Spain’s Conservative Party after Election Victory
