Spain is set to get its first real government in 10 months.<br /><br /> Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has accepted a mandate from King Felipe to seek parliament’s backing for a new administration, thus avoiding a third general election.<br /><br /> His conservative Popular Party came first in two inconclusive polls in December and June but fell short of a majority. Now though, the opposition Socialists say they will enable him to lead a minority government.<br /><br /> “There is no agreement between the Popular Party and the Socialist Party,” Rajoy said on Tuesday, after the <br />Socialists opted to abstain in the forthcoming confidence vote rather than keep blocking his bid for a second term.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> Spain’s Rajoy accepts king’s invitation to form government https://t.co/mN5uRnO91i— POLITICO Europe (@POLITICOEurope) 25 octobre 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> “I am fully aware of the difficulties that governing in minority entails. But if anyone thought for a moment that my party or myself would be tempted to abandon our responsibility with Spain in favour of opportunistic alliances, they have got it totally wrong.”<br /><br /> Still reeling from in-fighting over their stance in parliament, the Socialists are now looking for a new leader. But interim head Javier Fernandez has warned he won’t make things easy for the new team at the top.<br /><br /> “In no event,” he said “do we plan on giving stability to Rajoy’s government or approving its budgets.”<br /><br /> Parliament will begin a confidence debate on Wednesday evening. The vote itself is expected on Thursday, when Rajoy will need a green light from a majority of deputies to stay in power.<br /><br /> If he fails to achieve a majority, a second vote would be called 48 hours later in which parties can abstain, opening the door for the Socialists to enable a Rajoy-led minority government. That is likely at the weekend.<br /><br /> with Reuters<br />
