MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Pedro Sanchez met with Catalan pro-independence party Junts and became the first Spanish prime minister to hold official talks with Basque separatist party EH Bildu on Friday, as the caretaker leader seeks to form a new government.
Sanchez's Socialists need support from Catalan and Basque separatist groups to win an investiture vote before Nov. 27 or face a fresh election next year after an inconclusive vote in July.
"We're still far from a historic compromise," Junts parliamentary spokesperson Miriam Nogueras said about a potential agreement, after meeting Sanchez.
Bildu helped Sanchez form a government in 2020 by abstaining in the investiture vote and has already pledged unconditional support as he seeks a new four-year term in office.
"Today's photo of Pedro Sanchez with Bildu ... is undoubtedly a picture of humiliation," said Cuca Gamarra, parliamentary spokesperson for the opposition People's Party.
Persons:
Spain's Pedro Sanchez, Junts, EH, Miriam Nogueras, Sanchez, Nogueras, Esquerra, Mertxe Aizpurua, Gorka Elejabarrieta, Bildu, Pedro Sanchez, Cuca Gamarra, Joan Faus, Belen Carreño, Charlie Devereux, Andrei Khalip, Alexander Smith
Organizations:
Catalan, Basque, Sanchez's Socialists, ETA, Bildu, People's Party
Locations:
MADRID, Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Catalonia, Spain