A power-sharing deal between the Spanish Socialists and the centrist Ciudadanos would not be enough to secure a majority and avoid fresh elections, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy warned Wednesday.
“As I see it … the most likely thing is elections,” Rajoy said in an interview on Antena 3 television.
Pedro Sánchez, the leader of the Socialists, took a step towards replacing Rajoy as prime minister on Tuesday when his party struck a deal with Ciudadanos (Citizens). The latter wanted constitutional reforms as a condition of joining a coalition — and Sánchez agreed to the demands.
Sánchez and Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera signed the agreement Wednesday in the Spanish parliament. An investiture vote will likely take place next week.
Rajoy’s Popular Party won December’s general election but fell well short of a majority, and Rajoy lacks the political support to form a government.
Sánchez was given the task of trying to form a coalition, but his agreements with Ciudadanos needs more support, which will prove difficult as the PP wants the deal to fail and the far-left Podemos (We Can) has ruled out any pact with Rivera’s party.
Rajoy said he was surprised by “Ciudadanos’ enthusiasm to back the PSOE” and said he intends to fight for his party to stay in power. “It has not crossed my mind (to resign) … It is my intention to be a candidate if new elections are to be held,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría said the Socialist/Ciudadanos pact “will go nowhere.”