MADRID — Spaniards will go to the ballot box on November 10 — for the fourth national election in as many years.
Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose Socialists won the last election in April but fell short of a majority, was unable to secure parliamentary backing to form a government.
“The country is forced to hold a repeat election,” Sánchez told reporters late Tuesday, after King Felipe VI met with party leaders.
“I’ve tried everything, but it was impossible,” Sánchez added, blaming his rivals for the deadlock and asking Spaniards to “speak more clearly” when they vote again, by increasing the Socialists’ majority.
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Sánchez targeted in particular far-left Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias, whom he described as the only leader on the left in Europe who has derailed “four times” the possibility of a progressive government.
The parliament will now automatically be dissolved and the new ballot officially called on Monday.
The decision to hold a new election came after a failed attempt to have Sánchez sworn in as prime minister in July, the failure to make progress in talks between the Socialists and Podemos — which stalled over whether the latter should get Cabinet positions, something the Socialists refused — and a few last-minute surprises.
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