Spanish Socialist PM won’t give far-left leader a gov’t seat

MADRID – Spanish Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez says his negotiations with the We Can party on forming a government have come to nothing mainly because the far-left party’s leader wants a seat in a future Cabinet.

Sánchez told La Sexta television channel Thursday that “the main stumbling block” to an agreement between the two parties is Pablo Iglesias’ demand to be in the government.

He says he has deep differences of opinion with Iglesias on such issues as the Catalonia region’s demands for independence, which the Socialists oppose.

Even with We Can’s backing, Sánchez would still need other smaller parties’ support to win a parliamentary vote of confidence next Tuesday.

The centre-left Socialists captured most votes in last April’s general election but require parliament’s endorsement to take office.