Rajoy Edges Closer to Power in Spain as Ciudadanos May Abstain
- Ciudadanos to decide stance for confidence vote Wednesday
- Rivera says Rajoy planning to face confidence vote soon
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Mariano Rajoy is moving closer to forming a government in Spain after Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera signaled his party may be willing to abstain in a confidence vote to help end almost seven months of political deadlock.
While rejecting a formal coalition with Rajoy’s People’s Party, Rivera said the country has to “get moving” and ruled out a third election after meeting the caretaker prime minister on Tuesday morning. Rivera said the meeting had been “constructive” and argued their two parties can agree on policy measures and strike a deal to push through next year’s budget. Rajoy won the most seats and was the only candidate to make gains in last month’s election.