Spain: Rajoy’s party signs deal seeking to form governmentAugust 19, 2016 - 16:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Spain's conservative Popular Party on Friday, August 19 signed a deal with the business-friendly Ciudadanos party that could pave the way for the formation of a new government and avert a possible third round of elections, the Associated Press reports. The parties signed a package of conditions set by Ciudadanos a day after Parliament announced that Popular Party leader and acting premier Mariano Rajoy will put his candidacy to form a new government to a first vote on Aug. 31. However, the support of Ciudadanos alone won't be enough for Rajoy to secure a majority in Parliament and so far all other parties are saying they'll vote against his attempt to form a government. His party, in power since 2011, won a June election with 137 seats, 39 short of a majority in the 350-seat legislature. The Socialist party was second with 85 seats, the left-wing alliance, Unidos Podemos, was third with 71 seats and Ciudadanos fourth with 32 seats. The June election followed a December ballot that failed to produce a government. If the situation remains deadlocked two months after the Aug. 31 vote, Spain would have to hold fresh elections on Christmas Day, a major family holiday, AP says. The Popular Party and Ciudadanos are now piling pressure on the Socialist party, which has led most governments in Spain in recent decades, to at least abstain and snap the stalemate. But the Socialists insist they will vote "no." In the first confidence vote, Rajoy must garner an absolute majority of lawmaker votes. Failing that, he would face a second vote Sept. 2 in which he would only need more votes in favor than against. Ciudadanos insists the deal is only for the investiture vote and that they will remain in opposition. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. |