Pablo Iglesias, the leader of Spain’s left-wing Podemos party, warned the Socialists Tuesday to choose between an agreement with his party, or with the center-right Popular Party (PP) and Ciudadanos.
The Socialists (PSOE) and the PP could both form coalition governments after no party won a majority in elections on December 20. PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez could join forces with Podemos (We Can) and other small leftist and regional parties, or forge a pact with Podemos and Ciudadanos (Citizens).
But Iglesias Tuesday ruled out the latter option, saying: “The PSOE has to decide whether it agrees with the PP and Ciudadanos or agrees with us. The two things at once is very difficult.”
“We are convinced that we can come to an understanding, in particular with the PSOE. Otherwise, it is clear that further agreements will be very complicated,” he said Tuesday.
Sánchez has been wary of a deal with Podemos as the far-left party has promised a referendum on Catalan independence, something all three other main parties oppose.
Meanwhile, the Socialists are set to name the parliamentary speaker. Patxi Lopez will take on the largely symbolic role. However, the job involves presiding over a committee that decides on the legislative agenda, which will be a more important position under a coalition government. The PP will have three places on the parliamentary committee while the Socialists, Podemos and Ciudadanos will have two each.