Separatists might hold key as Pedro Sanchez is set to return as Spain premier
With parties preparing to fight the European elections at the end of May, it is likely to be at least a month before any alliance takes shape
Madrid — Socialist Pedro Sanchez is set to return as prime minister of Spain with his left-leaning allies close to a majority, though he may still rely on Catalan separatists to govern. The Socialists won 123 seats in Sunday’s election, up from 85 in 2016. Its left-wing ally Podemos has another 43 seats while the Basque Nationalists, another group likely to support Sanchez, has six. That would give Sanchez 172 seats. He needs 176 for a majority. With parties preparing to fight the European elections at the end of May, it is likely to be at least a month before any alliance takes shape. If Sanchez can deliver Spain’s first stable government in almost four years he will have a chance to chart a way forward for the country after years of economic crisis and political turmoil. He will also become the standard bearer for social democracy across Europe. A second Sanchez government bucks the trend of crumbling voter support for Europe’s other center-left parties. He has already served 10 m...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.