Rival leaders have begun meeting to assess any potential for building a coalition government in Spain after its fragmented election results.
PM Mariano Rajoy and the Socialist party leader Pedro Sánchez met for 40 minutes on Wednesday. Sánchez later said that little had changed.
“We’re going to fulfil the mandate that citizens demanded in the election with a government of change that guarantees dialogue,” he said. “A no to Rajoy is a yes to change.”
The election results broke the traditional ping-pong governance between these two parties. Rajoy’s party, the PP, seats were reduced to 123 and the Socialists to 90.
Millions instead voted for the first time for either the left-leaning Podemos or centrist Ciudadanos.
No party alone held the 176 seats needed for a majority in the 350-seat assembly. The result left few possibilities to form a stable government, but with 90 seats the Socialists could be a major player in deciding the next government.
A Socialist-PP coalition had been considered a possibility. Although it would be a coming together of traditional rivals, it could confuse voters and make it difficult for the Socialists in future elections. After Wednesday’s meeting, this option appears less likely but nothing is settled yet.
Sánchez said on Wednesday that the Socialists would instead talk to Podemos with its 69 seats and Ciudadanos with 40 seats to explore options for change.
“Spain needs a big transformation … the Socialists will seek to build bridges of dialogue and agreement,” he said.
The leader of Ciudadanos, Albert Rivera, has proposed a three-way pact to include his party, the PP and the Socialists. This would have the handy effect of marginalising Podemos which is in favour of a referendum in Catalonia, something which Ciudadanos opposes.
Such a pact would also be likely to enhance the role that Ciudadanos would play in government beyond what it might it might otherwise expect for its 40 seats.
PM Rajoy plans to meet with Podemos and Ciudadanos early next week.
