Sanchez Notches Big Win in Bid to Retain Spanish Premiership
- Leader’s party triumphs in ballot for parliamentary speaker
- Vote seen as indication of Sanchez’s chances of remaining PM
Pedro Sanchez in parliament in Madrid, on Aug. 17.
Photographer: Javier Soriano/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialist party won a key vote in the country’s fragmented parliament, handing the caretaker leader a major boost in his bid to retain the job.
In one of the tightest votes since democracy was restored in the late 1970s, Socialist candidate Francina Armengol was elected speaker of the 350-strong lower house of parliament Thursday. She won 178 votes, enough for an absolute majority, beating opponent Cuca Gamarra of the conservative People’s Party.