Spain’s Socialist leader says he has failed to reach a deal with the far-left rival party that is key to allowing him to form a new government, Associated Press reports.
Caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez tells the lower house of Parliament on Thursday that “it has not been possible” to entice the anti-austerity United We Can party into a coalition government.
Sánchez needs more “Yes” than “No” votes on Thursday in the 350-member lower house to stay in power. His Socialists have 123 lawmakers and need the help of United We Can and other smaller parties.
The Socialists have been negotiating for a last-minute breakthrough, but Sánchez says United We Can’s demands for power in his Cabinet were too high.
A failure by Sánchez to take office Thursday would start a countdown to Sept. 23, when lawmakers have to had forged a government or face another election.