Spanish government fails to grab confidence vote

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Spain’s prime minister failed to secure a government after the country's parliament passed a motion of no-confidence at during its first vote on Tuesday.

The vote was triggered after Pedro Sanchez failed to gather an absolute majority necessary to form a government since he won general elections in April.

In parliament, the vote on Sanchez was 124-170, with 52 abstentions.

At least 176 votes were required for an absolute majority, while Sanchez's party, the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), holds only 123 seats in the assembly. Some 80 days of talks with the leftist Podemos Party -- seen as the PSOE's most likely partner -- bore no fruits.

A second vote of confidence is slated for Thursday, in accordance with the country's constitution. Here, the Socialist leader would need only a simple majority.

If Sanchez fails on Thursday as well, the country will hold its fourth general election in four years in the fall.