Spanish parliament meets amid impasse over government

A new Spanish legislature began yesterday, the most fragmented of the country’s modern era and one that could be short-lived if it fails to see a new government formed.

Members of congress and senators took their seats three weeks after a general election that blew open the electoral landscape and ushered in a new era requiring consensus and pacts.

“We need to overcome our differences and focus more on what unites us than what divides us,” said the new congressional speaker, socialist Patxi López, in a passionate speech to the 350-seat lower house.

He added: “We are living through times of great uncertainties.”

The identity of the next Spanish government is among them. With the Popular Party (PP) of acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy winning the most seats in the election but losing its majority, it would need the support of other parties in order to govern. Although the liberals of new party Ciudadanos appear willing, that is not enough.

The socialists, meanwhile, are considering trying to form an alternative, left-leaning, government, with the help of anti- austerity party Podemos and either Ciudadanos or nationalist parties. Last week, socialist leader Pedro Sánchez visited Portugal, to see at close quarters how that country's leftist coalition is working.

The approval of a socialist as congressional speaker was unusual, given that the position has always been taken by a politician from the party with most seats. The PP’s decision not to contest Mr López’s candidacy, which had the backing of Ciudadanos, was seen by some as a reflection of the conservative party’s isolation.

However, on Tuesday, Mr Rajoy had suggested that the move was part of a strategy to reach out to the Socialists, with a view to the formation of a new government.

Push for independence

With Catalan nationalists’ push for independence accelerating recently, there have been increased calls for the socialists and PP to form an unprecedented “grand coalition” to guarantee Spain’s territorial unity.

Foreign minister José Manuel García-Margallo told a radio station yesterday he was convinced “circumstances will make necessary a pact between the two big parties”.

But the socialists have repeatedly denied they will govern with the PP and they played down any broader significance of the new congressional speaker's appointment. Nonetheless, it sparked the first fracas of the new legislature as Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias painted Mr López' approval as the prelude to a governing coalition. "Socialist voters won't forget today's betrayal," he said.

Soon parliament must vote on a new government. If neither the PP nor the socialists are able to form an administration, fresh elections will be held, probably in the spring.

There was further friction when Podemos deputy Carolina Bescansa brought her baby into the debating chamber. The sight of her breastfeeding the child and Mr Iglesias taking time out to play with him was too much for some.

"We are witnessing a spectacle that involves exploiting a baby," tweeted Beatriz Escudero of the PP, who described the child's presence as "tasteless".