Spain’s Socialists Reject P.M. Mariano Rajoy, Right-Wing Government

Pedro Sanchez, leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), announced Wednesday that his party would not support acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to continue in office.

Rajoy’s right-wing People’s Party (PP) emerged with the most votes in Sunday’s election in Spain, gaining 123 seats but falling short of a majority in the 350-seat Legislature. For decades the Socialists and the PP have alternated in the seat of government, but the rise of two new parties, the left-wing Podemos (We Can) and the liberal Ciudadanos (Citizens) has left Spanish politics fragmented.

“We have to open a new political period in Spain, led by change, by progress and dialogue,” said Sanchez, declaring that the PSOE “is not going to support the continuity of either Mariano Rajoy or the People’s Party at the head of the Spanish government.”

“No to Rajoy means yes to change,” Sanchez said after a meeting with the prime minister, adding that he did not want new elections. ...............(more)

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/spains_socialists_reject_rajoy_or_pp-led_government_20151223