(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) MADRID Jumada I 22 1437 March 02 2016 SPA -- The leader of Spain's Socialists Pedro Sanchez lost a parliamentary vote to become the country's next prime minister on Wednesday securing the backing of only 130 representatives in the 350-strong assembly according to Reuters.
The Socialists and liberal newcomer Ciudadanos voted in favour of Sanchez while the ruling conservative People's Party (PP) anti-austerity upstart Podemos the former communist Izquierda Unida and four regional parties from the Basque Country and Catalonia voted against him. A small party from the Canary Islands abstained.
Sanchez can still be elected Prime Minister if he wins a simple majority of seats in a second vote on Friday although that scenario is unlikely too as parties who voted against him on Wednesday have already said they won't change their vote.
--SPA
22:19 LOCAL TIME 19:19 GMT
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