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☆ Spain's PM Sanchez Weakened by Defeat in Galicia Regional Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emerged weakened from Sunday's parliamentary elections in the northwestern region of Galicia after his Socialist party (PSOE) won just nine seats in the 75-seat assembly. The conservative People's Party (PP) maintained its outright majority after winning 40 seats, while PSOE's far-left coalition ally Sumar failed to win a single seat, according to official results. A bad night for the Socialist Party," political consultancy Nitid wrote in a report. The victory bolsters PP's national leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who faced questions over his leadership after failing to unseat Sanchez in last year's national election. After failing to form his own coalition with the hard-right Vox party, Feijoo has consistently attacked Sanchez on plans to offer an amnesty to Catalan separatists in exchange for their support.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Sumar, Sanchez, Nitid, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Feijoo, Inti Landauro, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Ros Russell Organizations: Spanish, Socialist, PSOE, People's Party, Nationalist Galician Bloc, Socialists, Socialist Party, Vox Locations: MADRID, Galicia

☆ Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's new cabinet
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez takes the oath of office during a ceremony at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Spain November 17, 2023. Andres Ballesteros/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsNov 20 (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday announced his new cabinet, keeping the same number of 22 ministers, 12 women and 10 men, despite reshuffling some of their portfolios. SOCIALIST MINISTERS:NADIA CALVINO - ECONOMYCalvino remains as Sanchez's first deputy prime minister and top economic expert. FELIX BOLANOS - JUSTICEBolanos saw his profile boosted by heightened media exposure while acting as Sanchez's de facto cabinet chief. SIRA REGO - CHILDREN AND YOUTHThe second-in-command and main spokesperson for the United Left, she became an MEP in 2019.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Andres Ballesteros, NADIA CALVINO, Calvino, Sanchez's, TERESA RIBERA, Ribera, MARIA JESUS MONTERO, Sanchez, Montero, FELIX BOLANOS, JUSTICE Bolanos, JOSE MANUEL ALBARES, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, MARGARITA ROBLES, Robles, FERNANDO GRANDE, Miquel Iceta, PILAR ALEGRIA, Alegria, Isabel Rodriguez, ISABEL RODRIGUEZ, Rodriguez, JOSE LUIS ESCRIVA, DIANA MORANT, LUIS PLANAS, Puente, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, JORDI HEREU, Hereu, Hector Gomez, ANGEL VICTOR TORRES, Torres, ELMA SAIZ, Escriva, Redondo, Podemos party's Irene Montero, SUMAR, YOLANDA DIAZ, LABOUR Diaz, Sumar, MONICA GARCIA, Garcia, Isabel Diez Ayuso, ERNEST URTASUN, PABLO BUSTINDUY, Bustinduy, Alberto Garzon, Ione Belarra, SIRA REGO, David Latona, Aislinn Laing, Grant McCool Organizations: Spain's, REUTERS Acquire, Spanish, Monday, European Investment Bank, JUSTICE, High, Culture, Social Security, Universities, Democratic, Socialist, ANA REDONDO, LABOUR, Mas Madrid, Greens, European Free Alliance, Consumer Affairs, United Left, Thomson Locations: Zarzuela, Madrid, Spain, Dubai, France, Morocco, Ukraine, Melilla, Gandia, Valladolid, Barcelona, Canary, Bolanos, Pamplona, Navarre, Mas, Podemos, Gaza, SIRA, Israel

☆ Biggest protest in Spain against Catalan amnesty law draws 170,000
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Raul Cadenas Susana Vera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The amnesty will cover about 400 people involved in the independence bid that came to a head in 2017, including separatists but also police involved in clashes with activists. The independence referendum was declared illegal by the courts and resulted in Spain's worst political crisis for decades. The amnesty will be the largest in Spain since the 1977 blanket amnesty for crimes committed during the Francisco Franco dictatorship, and the first amnesty law approved in the European Union since 1991, according to Spain's CSIC research council. Protesters, including neo-Nazi groups, have held rowdy demonstrations outside the Socialist headquarters in Madrid for 15 nights consecutively since the deal was announced. In a survey by Metroscopia in mid-September, around 70% of respondents - 59% of them Socialist supporters – said they were against the idea of an amnesty.

Persons: Catalonia's, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Santiago Abascal, Francisco Franco, Metroscopia, –, Graham Keeley, Susana Vera, Raul Cadenas, Silvio Castellanos, Clelia Oziel, Mike Harrison Organizations: Spain's Socialists, Spain's Socialist, Authorities, People's Party, Vox, European Union, Socialist, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, MADRID, Catalan, Basque, Catalonia

☆ Pedro Sanchez secures another term as Spain's prime minister, set to form government
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Spanish acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during the investiture debate at the Spanish Parliament on Nov. 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Spain's parliament has empowered acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to assemble a government, following two failed investiture attempts from right-wing opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Sanchez, who helms the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), won 179 votes in favor, with 171 against and no abstentions. It ends a four-month political deadlock following inconclusive general elections in July, when Feijóo's People's Party won a 136 majority of seats, while the Socialists clinched 121. Sanchez himself had called for the vote after his party hemorrhaged losses in regional and municipal elections in late May.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, Sanchez, helms, Feijóo's, Vox, Junts, Carles Puigdemont Organizations: Spanish, Spanish Socialist Workers ' Party, PSOE, Feijóo's People's Party, Socialists, Catalan, Catalonian Locations: Madrid, Spain, Spain's, Catalonia, Galicia, Basque Country, Belgium

☆ Spain’s Pedro Sanchez secures new term, ending four-month deadlock
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters —Spain’s parliament voted to make Pedro Sanchez prime minister for another term on Thursday, ending a protracted deadlock after an inconclusive general election in July. Sanchez had 179 votes in favor and 171 against, with no abstentions. It also represents a remarkable turnaround for Sanchez, who six months ago felt compelled to call a snap election after his party performed poorly in regional elections. Pedro Sanchez (L) is congratulated by Partido Popular leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo after winning a parliamentary vote to elect Spain's next premier, at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid on November 16. Feijoo described Sanchez as being “subject to a monthly contract with separatists” to be able to govern.

Persons: Reuters —, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Olaf Scholz, ” Scholz, “, Ursula von der Leyen, Volodymyr Zelensky, Rodrigo Jimenez, Javier, Vox, Santiago Abascal, Feijoo, Esteban Gonzalez Pons, ” Sanchez, Spain's, Javier Soriano, ”, Miriam Nogueras, Nadia Calvino Organizations: Reuters, Spanish Socialist Workers ’ Party, PSOE, People’s Party, EU, Ukrainian, Spanish Socialist Worker's Party, Deputies, European People’s Party, EPP, Partido Popular, Socialists, European Investment Bank Locations: Spain, Catalonia, Spanish, Madrid, Socialist

Sanchez's confirmation as premier would end four months of uncertainty since an election in July produced no outright winner. Authorities said 15 people were arrested in a 2,000-person protest on Wednesday night outside the Socialist Party headquarters in Madrid following clashes with police. Feijoo, who accused Sanchez of undermining the rule of law on Wednesday called for mass protests on Saturday Nov 18. Sanchez argued on Wednesday that an amnesty would help to defuse tensions in Catalonia. Reporting by Belen Carreño and Emma Pinedo; Writing by Charlie Devereux; Editing by Sharon SingletonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez applauds, amnesties, Catalonia's, Sanchez, Pedro Sanchez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Jorge Pueyo, Sumar, Patxi Lopez, Feijoo, Miriam Nogueras, Nogueras, Belen Carreño, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Spain's, Socialist, People's Party, Sanchez's Socialist Party, PSOE, ERC, Socialists, Authorities, Socialist Party, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spain, Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia, Madrid, Socialist

☆ Madrid streets barricaded ahead of tense Spanish investiture debate
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The amnesty deal with Catalan separatists has prompted a wave of protests across Spain. Authorities said 80,000 people gathered in Madrid on Sunday, while tens of thousands also attended demonstrations in Granada and Seville. Thousands have congregated each night for nearly a fortnight outside the Socialist Party (POSE) headquarters in Madrid. "We are Spaniards worried about Spain," said one young protester draped in a Spanish flag. The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an injunction by the far-right party Vox to suspend the investiture vote.

Persons: Sanchez, Pedro Sanchez's, Junts, Vox, Adolf Hitler, Esteban Gonzalez Pons, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Belen Carreno, Miguel Gutierrez, Charlie Devereux, Aislinn Laing, Emelia Organizations: Spain's, Amnesty, Spain MADRID, Police, ERC, Sanchez’s Socialists, People's Party, Authorities, Sunday, Socialist Party, Eastern, European, Sanchez's Socialist Party, PSOE, Junts, Thomson Locations: Spain, Spain's, Madrid, Catalan, Granada, Seville, Spanish, Hungary, Romania

☆ Spain to provide bodyguards for fugitive Catalan Puigdemont amid amnesty row
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont sits inside a car, on the day a deal was signed with Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) for Spanish government support, which is expected to include an amnesty law for Catalan separatist activists, in Brussels, Belgium November 9, 2023. Tensions are running high in Spain over a controversial amnesty law agreed with Puigdemont's party Junts that will exculpate hundreds of politicians and activists involved in an attempt to separate Catalonia from Spain that peaked in 2017. Puigdemont, who is the subject of an extradition order for leading the failed attempt, is likely to be the most high profile beneficiary of the amnesty law, a draft of which was registered in parliament on Monday. Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, of the centre-right People's Party that is leading protests against the amnesty, said the security agreement was "surprising". The prospect of amnesty has brought thousands of opponents to the streets for 12 days in a row.

Persons: Carles Puigdemont, Yves Herman, Pedro Sanchez's, Puigdemont, Felix Bolanos, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, He's, Junts, Sanchez, Charlie Devereux, Joan Faus, Emma Pinedo, Aislinn Laing Organizations: Spanish Socialist Workers ' Party, PSOE, Catalan, REUTERS, Rights, Socialist, Reuters, People's, Spanish, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Rights MADRID, Spain, Catalonia, Catalan, Waterloo, Copenhagen

☆ Tens of thousands protest across Spain at proposed Catalan amnesty
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MADRID, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people protested across Spain on Sunday against acting prime minister Pedro Sanchez's plans to grant amnesty to Catalan separatists in exchange for support for another term in office. The government secured a deal with Catalan separatist party Junts on Thursday which includes passing a contentious law granting amnesty to those convicted over Catalonia's attempt to secede from Spain in 2017. "He (Sanchez) has betrayed coexistence, democracy...he can't keep governing," said banker Tomas Perez, 38, holding a sign reading "Sanchez traitor". After an inconclusive July 23 election, the Socialists spent weeks negotiating with smaller parties including far-left platform Sumar and Catalan, Galician and Basque nationalist parties. Reporting by Miguel Gutierrez and Guillermo Martinez; Writing by Jessica Jones; Editing by Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez's, Junts, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Puerta, amnesties, Catalonia's, Sanchez, Tomas Perez, Inmaculada Herranz Castro, Miguel Gutierrez, Guillermo Martinez, Jessica Jones, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: People's Party, Authorities, Popular Party, Spain's, Socialists, Basque Nationalist Party, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spain, Sol, Madrid, Spanish, EU, Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Malaga, Palma, Valencia, Galician, Basque

Just holding the deal together through a full four-year parliamentary term will be a tough challenge, many predict. "The next legislative term will be very tough for the PSOE, it is likely it won't finish the whole term," said Catalan political analyst Joan Esculies. Spaniards have also been called to show their ire in town square demonstrations across the country on Sunday. For Andoni Ortuzar, the Basque Nationalist Party leader who also struck a deal with the Socialists on Friday, whether the government could hold would be a test of Spain's plurality. "We are different - we consider ourselves a different nation - and the question is whether we can live together comfortably," he said.

Persons: Sanchez, Pedro Sanchez, Francisco Franco, Junts, Carles Puigdemont, Joan Esculies, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Andoni Ortuzar, Susana Vera, Emiliano Garcia, Puigdemont, Lluis Orriols, Ortuzar, Belen Carreno, Joan Faus, Emma Pinedo, Aislinn Laing, Alex Richardson Organizations: Deal, Spain's Socialists, Socialist, PSOE, People's Party, Socialists, Basque Nationalist Party, REUTERS, Catalan Socialist, Carlos III University, Thomson Locations: MADRID, BARCELONA, Catalan, Belgium, Catalonia, Spain, Madrid, Castilla, La Mancha, Spanish, Catalunya

☆ Spanish conservative politician shot in face in Madrid. Gunman escaped on a motorbike, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Vice-President of the European Parliament Alejo Vidal-Quadras from Spain meets the media at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday Jan. 27, 2009. Veteran Spanish right-wing politician Alejandro Vidal-Quadras has been taken to a hospital in Madrid after being shot on a street in the capital, police said Thursday. After he broke away, he helped found the far-right Vox party. Vox President Santiago Abascal said he believed Vidal-Quadras' life wasn't in immediate danger. Popular Party President Alberto Núñez Feijóo deplored the shooting and wished for his recovery.

Persons: Alejo Vidal, Quadras, Tuesday Jan, Alejandro Vidal, EFE, Vidal, Mariano Rajoy, Vox, Santiago Abascal, Abascal, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, Pedro Sánchez, Sánchez, Quadras hasn't Organizations: Tuesday, Veteran Spanish, Police, Popular Party, Vox, Spanish Locations: Spain, Brussels, Belgium, Madrid, Spanish, Quadras, Catalonia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan

☆ Spanish Socialists and Catalan Junts reach deal for government support, amnesty
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A law granting amnesty to those prosecuted over Catalonia's attempt to secede from Spain was included in the deal, political leaders said and the deal text showed. The agreement included Junts lending its votes in parliament to support legislation for a full four-year term, he said. But Junts, which seeks another independence referendum, said supporting each law would depend on progress in talks involving Catalonia's political conflict. As a deal between Junts and the Socialists edged nearer in the past week, the mood in the country has become increasingly febrile, with protesters clashing with police outside the Socialists' headquarters in Madrid. An amnesty could exculpate as many as 1,400 activists and politicians involved in the attempt to separate Catalonia from Spain.

Persons: Junts, Feijoo, Puigdemont, Pedro Sanchez, Santos Cerdan, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Sanchez, Carles Puigdemont, Jaume Clotet, Belen Carreno, Joan Faus, Graham Keeley, Aislinn Laing, Charlie Devereux, Alison Williams, Toby Chopra, Bernadette Baum, Sharon Singleton, Alex Richardson Organizations: Companies Spain's Socialists, Conservative, Socialist Party, PSOE, Socialist, Socialists, Police, People's Party, Spanish Socialist Workers ' Party, Basque Nationalist Party, Thomson Locations: Catalan, Madrid, MADRID, Spain, Brussels, Junts, Catalonia, Belgium, Waterloo

☆ Tens of thousands protest against possible Catalan amnesty deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Graham Keeley | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/6] Unionist supporters protest against amnesty of separatist leaders and activists involved in the 2017 failed independence drive at Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona, Spain, October 8, 2023. Pedro Sanchez needs the support of Catalan separatist parties Junts and Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, which want the unpopular amnesty in exchange for votes in parliament. An amnesty would put the government above democracy and the rule of law," said Javier Tapia, 55, a chemicals worker. The amnesty could potentially cover more than 1,400 people involved in the independence bid that came to a head in 2017, pro-separatist Catalan group Omnium estimates. Around 70% of respondents - 59% of them Socialist supporters – said they were against the idea of an amnesty in a poll in mid-September.

Persons: Passeig de Gracia, Albert Gea, Sanchez, Spain's, Pedro Sanchez, Junts, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Santiago Abascal, Javier Tapia, Isabel Martinez, Feijoo, Francisco Franco, –, Graham Keeley, Joan Faus, Horaci Garcia, Guillermo Martinez, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Passeig, REUTERS, Barcelona, BARCELONA, Spain's, Socialist, People's Party, Vox, Sale, AMNESTY, European Union, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Catalan, Catalonia

[1/3] Spain's King Felipe shakes hands with Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez before their meeting at Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Spain, October 3, 2023. Juanjo Guillen/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Spain's acting Prime Minister predicted "complex talks" with other political parties to form a government on Tuesday, after he was nominated to seek their backing for a new mandate. Sanchez was invited by Spain's King Felipe VI to try to form a governing majority after Feijoo last week failed in his bid to become prime minister. Asked about a referendum, Sanchez said Catalans were looking to "turn the page" and to find a "reunion" with Spanish society. House Speaker Francina Armengol said earlier that Sanchez had yet to share his proposed schedule for the investiture vote.

Persons: King Felipe, Spain's, Pedro Sanchez, Juanjo Guillen, Sanchez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Spain's King Felipe VI, Feijoo, Junts, Pablo Simon, Carlos, Carles Puigdemont, Mr Sanchez, Mr Puigdemont, Yolanda Diaz, Francina Armengol, David Latona, Belen Carreno Emma Pinedo, Inti, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Nick Macfie, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Socialists, ERC, Catalans, Carlos III, Labour, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Basque, Catalan

☆ Spain's right-wing party loses chance to form government, setting up socialist Sanchez for fresh bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo delivers a speech at the Congress of Deputies during a second parliamentary vote to elect Spain's next premier on Sept. 29, 2023. Spain's right-wing opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo failed in his second bid to become prime minister, setting the stage for a fresh attempt at office from acting leader Pedro Sanchez. Feijóo, who leads the People's Party, received 172 parliamentary votes in favor of his investiture, with 177 against. He would have needed to win a simple majority of supporting votes during the Friday session. Pedro Sanchez, acting prime minister and Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader, now has two months and two similar attempts to gain support, before parliament dissolves on Nov. 27 and elections are called for January.

Persons: Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Spain's, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, Pedro Sanchez, Feijóo Organizations: People's, Deputies, People's Party, Spanish Socialist Workers ' Party, PSOE Locations: Spain's

☆ Spain's conservatives fail to form government, clearing way for socialists
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Spain's opposition People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo attends an investiture debate at the parliament in Madrid, Spain, September 29, 2023. REUTERS/Susana Vera Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Spain's conservative leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo lost a vote to form a government on Friday, clearing the way for socialist premier Pedro Sanchez to seek a divisive deal with separatist parties to clinch a new term in office. Feijoo failed to get a straight majority in a second vote on his candidacy in the 350-seat house, with 177 legislators opposing him and 172 supporting him, with one nullified vote. Feijoo had told lawmakers in a fractious debate that he knew he would lose the second vote. "Today, I won't be able to give you a government, but I have given you assurance and hope," he added.

Persons: Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Susana Vera, Pedro Sanchez, Feijoo, Belén Carreño, Emma Pinedo, David Latona, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Inti Landauro, Andrew Heavens Organizations: People's, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID

☆ Chances of Feijóo achieving majority are 'slim': IESE professor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailChances of Feijóo achieving majority are 'slim': IESE professorJavier Díaz-Giménez, professor of economics at IESE, discusses Alberto Núñez Feijóo's investiture bid and says the chances of achieving a simple majority in parliament are 'slim.'

Persons: Javier Díaz, Alberto Núñez Feijóo's

☆ Spain's conservative leader Feijoo fails in first bid to become prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Spain's opposition People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo looks on in parliament on the day of the investiture debate in Madrid, Spain, September 27, 2023. REUTERS/Susana Vera Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Spanish conservative leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo failed on Wednesday to secure enough votes in the lower house to become prime minister. Feijoo, whose People's Party had won the most seats in an inconclusive election in July, failed to convince enough legislators from other parties to back him to win an absolute majority. Spanish law allows Feijoo a second attempt on Friday, when a simple majority would be enough for him to be elected prime minister. Sanchez would have two months to negotiate an agreement before fresh elections are called if he also fails.

Persons: Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Susana Vera, Feijoo, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Inti Landauro, Belen Carreno, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Aislinn Laing, William Maclean Organizations: People's, REUTERS, Rights, Catalan, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Spanish

☆ Spain's right-wing leader fails in first bid to become prime minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Spain's right-wing opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo on Wednesday failed to gain the absolute majority of parliamentary votes needed to become prime minister. Feijóo received 172 votes in favor of his mandate in the Wednesday session — four short of the absolute 176 majority needed from the 350-strong parliament. Despite his electoral win over the summer and support from hard right party Vox, Feijóo's Popular Party has so far failed to stitch together the critical support. Should he fail, acting Prime Minister and Spanish Socialist Workers' Party leader Pedro Sanchez has two months to undergo a similar two-vote process in a bid for investiture, before parliament dissolves on Nov. 27 and elections are called on Jan. 14. A potential pardon could bring on the side the support of self-exiled former Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont's Junts per Catalunya.

Persons: Alberto Núñez Feijóo, Feijóo, Vox, Feijóo —, Felipe VI, —, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Carles Puigdemont's Junts, Puigdemont, Raquel Sans Organizations: Feijóo's Popular Party, Spanish Socialist Workers ' Party, Popular Party, Reuters, Republican Left Locations: Spanish, Spain, Catalan, Catalonia, Catalunya, Madrid

[1/9] Spain's opposition People's Party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo reacts after giving a speech during an investiture debate at parliament in Madrid, Spain, September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina Acquire Licensing RightsMADRID, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Spain's rightwing opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo on Tuesday launched a likely fruitless bid to form a government following an election in which no party won a majority. Feijoo will get a second vote on Friday, which only requires a simple majority. If, as expected, Feijoo fails, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who leads the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), will have two months from Wednesday to make his bid before parliament is dissolved and fresh elections are called. In his speech, Feijoo outlined the policy proposals he would carry out as prime minister, including lowering taxes for entrepreneurs and low- and middle-income earners and devising a plan to capture foreign investment.

Persons: Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Juan Medina, Feijoo's, Feijoo, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Eurointelligence, Esquerra, Belen Carreno, Emma Pinedo, Charlie Devereux, Bernadette Baum Organizations: People's, REUTERS, Rights, Feijoo's People's Party, Debating, Spanish Socialist Workers Party, PSOE, Vox, Union, Canarian Coalition, Basque Nationalist Party, Galician Nationalist Bloc, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Catalonia, Catalan, Basque

☆ 40,000 march in Spain against plans to grant amnesty to Catalan separatists
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Waving Spanish flags, supporters of the opposition conservative People’s Party (PP) traveled from across Spain to attend the rally in Madrid. Puigdemont, wanted in Spain for attempting the region’s secession, has demanded that legal action be dropped against fellow separatists as a condition for his support. Withdrawing criminal cases against the separatists would amount to granting an amnesty to “coup plotters,” he told supporters at the Madrid rally. He did not mention an amnesty but said the Socialists wanted to heal social divisions over the Catalan crisis. “We are trying to turn the page,” he told supporters.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Carles Puigdemont, Puigdemont, Jesús, AP Alberto Nunez Feijoo, ”, Gregorio Casteneda, “, Feijoo Organizations: CNN, Sunday, People’s Party, Authorities, Europa Press, AP, Reuters, Socialists Locations: Madrid, Spain, Catalonia, Catalunya, Santander, Spain’s, Gava, Catalonia’s, Barcelona

[1/6] A person holds a placard that reads "No to amnesty" during a rally against a possible amnesty for Catalan separatist leaders in Madrid, Spain, September 24, 2023. Waving Spanish flags, supporters of the opposition conservative People's Party (PP) travelled from across Spain to attend the rally in Madrid. Puigdemont, wanted in Spain for attempting the region's secession, has demanded that legal action be dropped against fellow separatists as a condition for his support. Withdrawing criminal cases against the separatists would amount to granting an amnesty to "coup plotters", he told supporters at the Madrid rally. He did not mention an amnesty but said the Socialists wanted to heal social divisions over the Catalan crisis.

Persons: Susana Vera, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Carles Puigdemont, Puigdemont, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Gregorio Casteneda, Feijoo, Graham Keeley, Silvio Castellanos, Michael Gore, Peter Graff Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Sunday, People's Party, Authorities, Reuters, Socialists, Thomson Locations: Madrid, Spain, Rights MADRID, Catalonia, Catalunya, Santander, Spain's, Gava, Catalonia's, Barcelona

☆ Socialists would win Spain election over conservative PP, poll shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives to address the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. Most parties - except PSOE - and rival private pollsters have questioned the agency's neutrality and methodology. The new poll gives third place to the left-wing alliance Sumar at 11.9% and fourth to the far-right Vox with 11.1%. Should those efforts to woo the pro-independence parties prove to be unsuccessful, a repeat election would be held in mid-January. Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pedro Sanchez, Eduardo Munoz, Vox, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, David Latona, Andrei Khalip, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Spain's, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Spain's Socialists, People's Party, for Sociological Studies, CIS, Socialist Party, PSOE, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights MADRID, Sumar, Navarre, Catalan, Basque, Madrid

☆ Thousands celebrate Catalonia Day as regional parties become Spain's kingmakers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

People hold up Esteladas, or Catalan separatist flags, during a demonstration to mark Catalonia's national day 'La Diada' in Barcelona, Spain, September 11, 2022. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBARCELONA, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Thousands of people were expected to celebrate Catalonia's National Day on Monday as the Spanish region's separatist parties appear set to play a kingmaker role in forming a national government. In recent years, attendance at La Diada, as the National Day is known, has fallen as support for breaking away from Spain has decreased. But with two Catalan parties poised to play a role in forming a new government, it may boost the independence cause. In October 2017, when Puigdemont's separatist regional government held a referendum declared illegal by the Spanish courts, a CEO poll found 49% supported splitting from Spain while 43% were against.

Persons: Nacho, Pere Aragones, Carles Puigdemont, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Isabel Rodriguez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Graham Keeley, Peter Graff Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, La, Catalana, ERC, Socialist, People's Party, Catalan Centre, Public, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Rights BARCELONA, Spanish, Catalonia, Catalan, Belgium, Catalunya

☆ Exiled Catalan leader sets tough terms for talks on Spain's new PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Bart Biesemans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez would need the seven lawmakers in Carles Puigdemont's Junts per Catalunya party if he gets a shot at forming a government. Speaking in Brussels, Puigdemont called on Spain to respect the Catalan independence movement's legitimacy and abandon judicial actions against it. "A world separates us from those positions," Rodriguez told reporters of Puigdemont's conditions. "Our framework is the one that the prime minister expressed with absolute forcefulness yesterday: We have a tool, dialogue; a framework, the constitution; and an objective: coexistence." If Feijoo fails, it will fall on Sanchez to see if he can muster support, seen as impossible without Puigdemont's party.

Persons: Junts, Pedro Sanchez, Carles Puigdemont's Junts, Puigdemont, Isabel Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Feijoo, Sanchez, Oriol Bartomeus, Bartomeus, Bart Biesemans, Inti Landauro, Emma Pinedo, David Latona, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Peter Graff, Alison Williams Organizations: Socialist, Socialists, People's Party, Autonomous University of Barcelona, PSOE, Vox, Inti, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Catalonia, Spain, Catalunya, Brussels, Belgium, Madrid

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