- Title: Spain's Socialist leader Sanchez resigns after losing party vote
- Date: 1st October 2016
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (OCTOBER 1, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PEDRO SANCHEZ SUPPORTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE SOCIALISTS HEADQUARTERS SOCIALISTS PARTY ICON FORMER SOCIALIST LEADER PEDRO SANCHEZ ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCIALIST FORMER LEADER PEDRO SANCHEZ, SAYING: "What I have backed as the (socialist) leader and what the federal executive commission has defended was to hold a congress, vote "no" to Mariano Rajoy in the investiture process and try to form an alternative government. Unfortunately the result of the poll did not back the proposal of the federal executive commission, hence, as I said yesterday, if my proposal was not successful, the proposal of the federal executive commission, of course I wouldn't be able to administer a decision that I don't support." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCIALIST FORMER LEADER PEDRO SANCHEZ, SAYING: "My parents taught me that the most important thing is to keep your word. That was my word. I gave it to the grassroots and to the federal committee regarding the stand that the party should get in the investiture process of Mr. Rajoy. I did it with solid convictions. Unfortunately (my stand) it wasn´t elected in this poll hence I have announced to the federal committee the resignation of the federal executive committee and myself as the leader of the party." MEDIA SANCHEZ LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM SANCHEZ LEAVING SOCIALIST HEADQUARTERS BY CAR SANCHEZ SUPPORTERS CHEERING OUTSIDE HEADQUARTERS PLACARD READING "I VOTED SOCIALISTS NO PP" (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCIALIST VOTER CLARA BAUTISTA, SAYING: "In my opinion it is wrong because it gives the victory to the PP. I guess now with Susana Diaz they will find an agreement. They will take advantage of the gap left by Pedro Sanchez and Susana Diaz will take the helm. It is disturbing." (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MADRID RESIDENT JOSE LUIS, SAYING: "In my opinion it was the right thing to be done. There were no solution. He was not able to lift the country. He should have be in the opposition." EXTERIOR OF THE SOCIALISTS HEADQUARTERS
- Embargoed: 16th October 2016 22:04
- Keywords: Spain Politics Pedro Sanchez Resignation Socialists
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001526AYQR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The leader of Spain's Socialist party, Pedro Sanchez, resigned on Saturday (October 1) after losing a party vote, a step which could pave the way for the formation of a new government and end a nine-month political deadlock.
Sanchez has led a long stand-off with acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative People's Party (PP), which won the most votes but fell short of a majority in two inconclusive elections, and the dispute has frustrated attempts to form a government.
Members of the Socialists assembly met on Saturday to decide whether to open up a leadership race in October, as proposed by Sanchez, or oust him, after the Socialist leadership tore itself in two this week.
By ousting Sanchez, who became leader in 2014 and has presided over a slump in the party's support, the Socialists can now try to find ways to avoid a looming third election, including a potential abstention in a confidence vote on allowing Rajoy a second term.
"What I have backed as the (socialist) leader and what the federal executive commission has defended was to hold a congress, vote "no" to Mariano Rajoy in the investiture process and try to form an alternative government. Unfortunately the result of the poll did not back the propose," Sanchez said.
"I have announced to the federal committee the resignation of the federal executive committee and myself as the leader of the party," he added.
The Socialists will now be under interim management until a party conference can choose a new leader.
Party insiders say the powerful head of the Andalusia region Susana Diaz is the favourite to take Sanchez's place although it is not yet clear when the new secretary general will be picked.
The interim management will face one of the party's biggest dilemmas since it was founded in 1879: allow a conservative minority government or force a third general election in a year.
Although Spain's economic recovery so far has weathered the deadlock, there are signs that further uncertainty could slow growth and hamper investment.
The party assembly vote, which Sanchez lost 107-132, came after a tumultuous 10-hour-long meeting at the Socialists' headquarters in Madrid.
Chants of "No to the PP" from a gathering of pro-Sanchez supporters were heard outside the socialists headquarters.
"In my opinion it is wrong because it gives the victory to the PP. I guess now with Susana Diaz they will find an agreement. They will take advantage of the gap left by Pedro Sanchez and Susana Diaz will take the helm. It is disturbing," said Clara Bautista.
They accused the rebels of launching a party coup and playing into Rajoy's hands. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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