PSOE dead against 'mega-coalition' with PP and Ciudadanos says "only if Rajoy steps aside"
Monday, July 4, 2016 @ 8:28 PM
ACTING president Mariano Rajoy continues to face problems in building his much-desired 'mega-coalition' involving his own party, the right-wing PP, plus the socialists (PSOE) and centre-right Ciudadanos.
With only 137 seats, the PP has fallen far short of a majority of 176 required to govern, despite winning the elections on June 26 - the second round after the December general elections failed to produce a government.
This time, Rajoy has reversed his tactics by targeting the so-called 'minority' parties, or the nationalist regional outfits including EH Bildu in the Basque Country, CDC and ERC in Catalunya, and the Canarian Coalition, who total 25 seats between them.
Ciudadanos' leader Albert Rivera says it is 'sad' that the caretaking president has approached these parties first before turning to any of the other three of the top four, and has reiterated that he will not join forces with the PP, nor vote in favour or abstain in the in-house elections to allow them to get back into power.
But his views may well change if the PP elects a new leader - however, Rajoy has always been adamant that he will not step aside.
PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez has reiterated his refusal to combine forces with the PP, to vote in favour or abstain to help Rajoy gain a majority of support in the in-house rounds.
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