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| Europe |
| Spain King Taps Socialists to Form Government to End Impasse |
| 2016-02-03 |
| [BLOOMBERG] King Felipe VI asked the Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez to find a solution to Spain's political stalemate, lending royal approval to negotiations with the anti-austerity group Podemos. I once came across a picture of a naked girl with the Spanish flag and the word "Podemos" painted in a place you don't normally see them. I found the picture interesting, but not significant, if you catch my drift. Felipe nominated Sanchez to try to form the next government following consultations with the leaders of all parties, Patxi Lopez, parliament's speaker, said in a televised statement. Sanchez said he would hold talks with other political forces including Pablo Iglesias's Podemos and the pro-business party Ciudadanos over at least the coming four weeks as he seeks to build support to govern. "The Socialist Party is assuming this responsibility with Spain," Sanchez said at a televised presser following talks with Felipe. "I am grateful for the confidence deposited in me and in the Socialist party." Six weeks after voters elected the most fragmented parliament in Spanish history, the king has been coaxing party leaders into setting aside differences to put together a program that can command the support of a majority of politicians. With Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's People's Party buffeted by corruption allegations and increasingly toxic to potential allies, the most likely solution would see Sanchez seal a pact with either Podemos or pro-market Ciudadanos. |
| Posted by:Fred |