Spain’s Left-Wing Pact Uncertain as Sanchez Clashes With Podemos
- Sanchez exchanges barbs with Podemos leader in parliament
- First investiture vote is set to take place on Tuesday
Pedro Sanchez speaks at the Spanish Parliament on July 22.
Photographer: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images EuropeThis article is for subscribers only.
Pedro Sanchez goes into a first vote in Spain’s parliament on Tuesday still unable to rely on the support of his potential partners Podemos for his bid to form a left-wing coalition government.
Pablo Iglesias, Podemos’s leader, used a speech in parliament on Monday evening to tell Sanchez his group would never accept being “mere decoration” in an administration led by the Socialists. Sanchez, Spain’s acting prime minister, said it was clear that differences remained between the two sides but he would seek to keep pushing negotiations forward. If talks do break down, Podemos should still commit to backing a Socialist-led government, he said.