Exit from political blockade: Pedro Sanchez gets support to form government

(Patria) – Acting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has received parliamentary support to form a left-wing coalition government.

Although parliament was again divided on the proposal with 167 votes in favor and 165 against, the outcome of the vote marked the end of a year-long political stalemate.

The prime minister won largely thanks to the fact that 18 lawmakers abstained - the Catalan ERC, for example, promised to remain abstinent in exchange for negotiations on the future of the region fighting for independence.

Sanchez and the leader of the far-left party Unidas Podemos (United We Can), Pablo Iglesias, confirmed their previously stated intention to form the first coalition government in Spain's recent history – which will be the first coalition government since Spain's transition to democracy after the fall of the Franco regime.

However, Socialist leader Sanchez lost on Sunday in his attempt to secure support for his coalition government. He needed 176 votes for an absolute majority but received 166, while 165 lawmakers voted against.  

Sanchez will take the oath on Wednesday, while the first cabinet meeting will be held on Friday.  

The prime minister has been heavily criticized for his partnership with the Catalan ERC and other secessionist parties, although he denies the possibility of secession.