Socialists, left-wing party reach coalition deal in Spain
The leaders of Spain's Socialist party and the left-wing United We Can party say they have reached a preliminary agreement about forming a coalition government.
But the deal announced Tuesday still won't provide enough votes in parliament for the Socialists, who won Sunday's election, to take office without the support of other parties.
Incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's left-of-center Socialists captured 120 seats in Sunday's ballot but fell far short of a majority in the 350-seat chamber. United We Can got 35 seats.
FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2019, file photo, Spain's caretaker Prime Minister and socialist candidate Pedro Sanchez applauds socialist followers during a general election campaign rally in Pamplona, northern Spain. Sanchez's Socialists won Spain's national election on Sunday but large gains by the upstart far-right Vox party appear certain to widen the political deadlock in the European Union’s fifth-largest economy. (AP PhotoAlvaro Barrientos, File)
In a joint appearance, Sánchez and United We Can leader Pablo Iglesias say under the deal Sánchez would be prime minister and Iglesias his deputy in a future government. They will also hold talks with other parties to get more support.
Spain's caretaker Prime Minister and socialist candidate Pedro Sanchez attends a Socialists executive board meeting at party headquarters in Madrid, Spain, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Spain looked set Monday to face political uncertainty for many more months after the country's fourth elections in as many years further complicated an already messy political situation. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)
Spain's caretaker Prime Minister and socialist candidate Pedro Sanchez looks down during a Socialists executive board meeting at party headquarters in Madrid, Spain, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Spain looked set Monday to face political uncertainty for many more months after the country's fourth elections in as many years further complicated an already messy political situation. (AP PhotoManu Fernandez)