Spain headed for fourth general election in four years

SPAIN is set for its fourth general election in as many years, after King Felipe VI said ‘no candidate’ has sufficient support in Spain’s congress.

After months of talks, no agreement has been reached between the Socialist Party (PSOE) – which won most seats at the April vote – and its most likely partner, left-wing Unidas Podemos.

Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also been unable to strike any deals with the two other biggest parties on Spain’s political spectrum, the conservative Popular Party (PP) and Ciudadanos (Citizens).

For the last two days Spain’s King Felipe VI has been meeting with the leaders of parties to see whether Sánchez had enough support among the deputies in Spain’s lower house of parliament, the Congress.

The Royal Household today released an official statement saying the king would not be presenting a candidate, however, as is constitutional procedure before a government can be formed.

“Felipe VI has concluded that there is no candidate who counts on the necessary support for the Congress of Deputies to lend him its confidence,” the statement read.

Barring any last-minute surprises, parliament will be dissolved next week and a repeat general election called for November 10.