Podemos now appears less likely to offer its support – overtly or tacitly, in the form of abstentions – now it has framed the pact between the Socialists (PSOE) and Ciudadanos as “an invitation to the PP”.
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Podemos, which could help Mr Sanchez become prime minister if Basque and Catalan parties gave their consent, has said it will not join any deal with Ciudadanos. Specifically, Podemos has taken issue with some of the new policy proposals put forth by the coalition, such as tax reforms.
Spain’s Socialist party signed an agreement Wednesday with liberal newcomer party Ciudadanos to support the Socialists’ bid to form a government next week, but they are still way short of a majority.
“Podemos is lying and knows it”, said Socialist parliamentary spokesman Antonio Hernando.
Spain has been mired in political deadlock for more than nine weeks since the December elections resulted in a hung parliament split among four main parties – none of which have enough seats to govern alone.
The continued squabbling between political parties means Spain could be without a government for several more months.
But even with Ciudadanos, which won 40 seats, Sanchez would still not have enough votes and would therefore need the backing of other parties – a hard task as all have conflicting agendas.
On Wednesday Yesterday, Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez took a step toward becoming prime minister as he and Albert Rivera of Ciudadanos signed off on a broad array of planned reforms, ranging from economic measures to tackling corruption and changing electoral laws.
“Podemos could be plotting that the best thing would be to abstain to stay in the opposition, and make Pedro Sanchez’s life more hard from parliament”, says Simon.
The ruling Popular Party came first in the December 20 election but its leader, acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, refused to try to form a government, saying he lacked sufficient support.
But the long-established Socialists are wary of joining forces with an upstart party born just two years ago out of anger over austerity and which ultimately seeks to supplant it. Sanchez, however, is resolutely against this.
The PP meanwhile has said it will vote against any government it does not lead next week.
Sanchez will present his government plans for debate in parliament on Tuesday, one day before facing a vote of confidence, which he must win with a majority.
That is nearly certain to fail, leading to another vote 48 hours later, in which he would only require a simple majority – another tall order.
Rajoy, who had wanted to set up a “grand coalition” of his PP, the Socialists and Ciudadanos, has made no secret that he believes new elections will be held, as he told his British counterpart David Cameron last week.
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On Tuesday, Spanish business leaders warned new polls would be an “incomprehensible failure”.
