The leader of the Socialist Party (PSOE), Pedro Sanchez, today acknowledged the success of the government's Popular Party (PP, center-right) in the Spanish elections on Sunday and attributed to this party the responsibility of forming a new executive.
EFE
In an appearance before the press, the Socialist candidate was willing to "discuss, debate and agree", before the new era opens in the said country, with a Congress no party with an absolute majority.
Sánchez also thanked the support of almost five million people to his party - which came in second place - despite what he denounced as "a coalition of interests that tried to wipe the PSOE" in this campaign.
According to official data, 99.43% of the vote counted, the Socialists won 90 seats, behind the PP, with 123, in a Congress of 350 seats in which an absolute majority is set at 176.
This is the worst result of the Socialists since the restoration of democracy in Spain in 1977.
Behind the PSOE are the two emerging parties, which first general elections were presented: Can we (left anti-austerity), which won 69 seats, and Citizens (liberal center) with 40 deputies.
In this new political map, the Socialist leader acknowledged that "opens a new phase" in which the imposition should be left behind and must open "a dialogue".
Pedro Sanchez, secretary general of the PSOE since 2014, was "extremely proud" to lead his party.