Spanish PM Sanchez looks to boost support for his government

MADRID – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is making his case to stay in power, two months after he unseated the previous conservative administration with a no-confidence motion.

Sanchez has announced labour rights for non-permanent employees, improved pension payments and enacted measures to ensure equality for women.

Sanchez also said after a Cabinet meeting Friday his government plans to create 450,000 jobs by the year’s end.

The announcements came before a summer recess and after a loss of political support for the centre-left Socialist government’s spending plans for 2019.

The government has only 84 of the 350 seats in the lower house of parliament, making it tricky to get its measures approved.

Sanchez has repeatedly said he wants to complete the remainder of the parliamentary term and call elections for 2020.