On the 23rd of July, the Congress of Deputies in Spain will vote on the investiture of acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez who is currently struggling to win the support of other parties in order to form a government.

Back Story

Pedro Sanchez became the prime minister in June 2018 after former PM Mariano Rajoy was ousted. Rajoy’s government faced strong opposition following a constitutional crisis over Catalan independence, coupled with corruption scandals involving his party, People’s Party (PP).

Congress subsequently passed a vote of no confidence, which led to Sanchez becoming the new PM.

Sanchez’s party, the Spanish Socialist Worker’s Party (PSOE) did not have the majority of seats (84) in the Congress and relied on the support of other parties.

After the 2019 state budget was voted down by the congress of deputies in February 2019, he called for a snap election, which saw the PSOE win more seats –123, but the party still did not have a majority in the 350-seat assembly.

In order to secure another term as Prime Minister, Sanchez needs the backing of other parties.

Moving Forward

Sanchez needs 176 votes for his investiture as Prime Minister of Spain. If he does not win the July 23 vote, a “yes” or “no” vote will be held two days later and he would need more ‘yes’ votes than ‘no’ to be confirmed as Prime Minister

If Sanchez loses the second vote, failure to solve the stalemate within two months will lead to fresh elections. That will be the second one this year for spain, and the fourth in the past four years.