MADRID (Reuters) - Socialist Pedro Sanchez was sworn in on Saturday as Spain’s seventh head of government since its return to democracy in the late 1970s, taking over from veteran conservative Mariano Rajoy who was ousted on Friday over a corruption scandal. Mr Rajoy was in attendance at the ceremony held in the royal Zarzuela Palace and shook Mr Sanchez’s hand after the new leader was sworn in by King Felipe VI before they posed for a photo with the monarch along with the speakers of the lower Congress of Deputies and the Senate. "I promise by my conscience and honor to faithfully fulfill the obligations of the office of President of the Government with loyalty to the King, and to keep and enforce the Constitution as the fundamental norm of the State," Sánchez said. Sanchez was sworn in as Spanish prime minister before King Felipe, his right hand on the constitution — the first time that was not done with the Bible or a crucifix. Mr Sanchez toppled Mr Rajoy following a court ruling in a major corruption case involving the conservative leader’s Partido Popular. Sanchez will lead a minority government and will need the support of both the far-left Podemos (We Can) party and the backing of a motley crew of regional parties and Catalan secessionists to get anything done in government.
Pedro Sánchez, a member of the Spanish Socialist Party, is sworn in as Prime Minister before King Felipe VI. Sánchez opts to take the oath without a bible or crucifix; a first in modern Spanish history.