Spain took another step towards fresh elections Monday, after members of the far-left Podemos party resoundingly rejected a coalition government between the Socialists and Ciudadanos parties.
Eighty-eight percent of the 150,000 party members who took part in the vote between Thursday and Saturday were against a Socialists (PSOE)-Ciudadanos (“Citizens”) government bloc, Podemos tweeted Monday.
Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias called the poll of party members last week, after a meeting between Podemos, the Socialists and Ciudadanos failed to produce a deal for a new government. About 40 percent of those who took part are eligible to vote, El País reported.
Ninety-two percent backed Iglesias’ proposal to form a leftist coalition government with the Socialists and smaller, nationalist parties.
If no deal is reached by May 2, parliament will be dissolved and new elections held on June 26.
La gente ha decidido; contigo hemos hecho historia. Mandato popular claro al que seremos fieles: pic.twitter.com/7HaSRxqghr
— PODEMOS (@ahorapodemos) April 18, 2016