MADRID — Spain's King Felipe VI is expected to call on conservative acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to try to form a government after two days of talks with political party leaders aimed at ending 10 months of political deadlock. The party held a federal committee meeting in Madrid on Sunday exclusively to decide whether to ease acting prime minister Mr Rajoy’s continuation as head of government by abstaining in his investiture, which is due to take place by October 31st. A total of 139 Socialist delegates voted in favour of the motion to abstain – and support Mr Rajoy – while 96 voted against. Two inconclusive elections since last December have left Rajoy in charge of a caretaker government. His Popular Party won both elections, but lacks a majority in Parliament and needs outside backing to form a minority government.
The Socialist Workers' Party, following the party's 139–96 vote approving this action, say they will abstain from voting against acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy when he puts his People's Party coalition government to parliament this week, thereby ending the 10-month deadlock.