Spain’s King says no candidate for PM, paves way for new election

NBN Breaking News
FILE PHOTO: Spain’s King Felipe VI speaks during the Charlemagne Prize (Karlspreis) ceremony in Aachen, Germany May 30, 2019. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez will not seek a new parliamentary vote to stay on as premier after rival parties refused to back him, the royal palace said on Tuesday, paving the way for a new election – the country’s fourth in four years.
The head of state, King Felipe VI, who had earlier consulted all key political leaders to verify if a workable government was still possible, will not propose any other candidate for premiership, the palace said.
Reporting by Elena Rodriguez and Sam Edwards; Writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Ingrid Melander