Acting PM Sanchez Rejects PP Ldr Feijóo Request For Backing For 2Yr Term

Head of the centre-right People's Party (PP) Alberto Núñez Feijóo has stated that acting PM Pedro Sanchez has rejected his requestfor the backing of Sanchez's centre-left Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in an investiture vote. Feijóo stated that he requested the PSOE back him in the vote, after which he would serve a two year term in office before calling snap elections. Feijóo stated that he made the request in an effort to reduce the influence of pro-independence regionalist parties in Spanish politics.

• Feijóo faces an investiture vote on 27 September, in which he must secure an overall majority (176 votes) in the Chamber of Deputies. In the (likely) event that this fails, a second vote will take place on 29 September, in which a simple majority is required (also unlikely). A two-month countdown then begins. If no candidate is successful in an investiture vote within that timeframe then snap elections are called.
• The most likely path to avoiding a snap election remains Sanchez gaining the support of all regionalist parties from Galicia, Catalonia, and the Basque Country. This will require major concessions to the hard-line pro-Catalan separatist Junts, including the potential for a referendum on self-determination.
• In any case, the Spanish political landscape is likely to remain volatile for the coming months as back-room negotiations continue.