Beyza Binnur Dönmez
22 July 2019•Update: 23 July 2019
ANKARA
Spain’s prime minister called on all Spanish parties on Monday not to block the formation of a new government after years of deadlock and inability for any party to receive a vote of confidence from the parliament.
Speaking at a parliamentary debate on the investiture of a new government, socialist leader Pedro Sanchez offered a "pact of state" in order to avoid deadlock and allow the party with the most votes to govern.
"People should not suffer the threat of a repeat election anymore," he stressed, arguing that his party had received "enough votes" in the last election with 123 deputies of the ruling PSOE party in the Assembly.
Lacking the necessary support for a vote of confidence, Sanchez sought support from the other parties. If he is unable to garner enough backing, Spain could be thrown into a new bout of general elections.
He asked his preferred partner, the Podemos Party, to advance with negotiations.
Admitting that the ruling Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) and Podemos came from "two different traditions of the left", Sanchez insisted on working towards what he said would not be an "easy consensus".
Sanchez will undergo a vote of confidence on Tuesday after negotiations to form a minority government led by the ruling PSOE failed.
In the 350-seat Spanish Assembly, a prospective government requires 176 votes to get the vote of confidence.
If Sanchez fails to form a government next week with the vote of confidence, the country will hold its fourth general election in four years.
- Government program
Sanchez raised six points as part of his government's program, including a modernization of the labor system, digital revolution, ecological transition, gender equality, social justice and a European policy.
Spain needs closer ties with the EU, he stressed, arguing that the Brexit process in the U.K. "weakened British democracy."
Sanchez proposed to allocate 5% of GDP to education as well as to push for a new workers' statute and raised minimum wage (currently €900, nearly $1009) as soon as possible.
He also proposed to strengthen current legislation against gender violence, promote reconciliation and improve the conditions of domestic labor and family law to respond to new family realities.
During his speech, Sanchez did not mention Catalan independence issue.
