Debate on second investiture vote in the......>

SPAIN: Debate on second investiture vote in the potential gov't of caretaker PM

Pedro Sanchez due to start at 1200CET (1100GMT, 0600ET) in the lower house of

Spanish parliament (Congress of Deputies).

- Sanchez defeated in 1st vote on Saturday 4 Jan, failing to win an absolute

majority of deputies. This time requires only a simple majority. 

- Sanchez's centre-left Socialists (PSOE) relying on support of far-left Unidas

Podemos, Basque Nationalist Party and other small left-wing regionalist

deputies. Also need deputies from Republican Left of Catalonia and Basque

hardliners EH Bildu to abstain in vote, as both did on 4 Jan.

- In 1st vote Sanchez won 166 votes to 165 opposing his gov't, with 18

abstentions and 1 absentee. Absentee from Catalan branch of Podemos, so unlikely

to oppose gov't but could be absent again. If the vote is the same, Sanchez will

be confirmed as PM, but one-vote margin will jangle nerves in the PSOE. 

- New Sanchez gov't would be minority coalition. Some of the more leftist

policies advocated by Podemos may be held back due to reliance on outside

support. Concessions to Catalan parties will be necessary.