The leader of Spain's Socialists Pedro Sanchez lost a parliamentary vote to become the country's next prime minister on Wednesday, securing the backing of only 130 representatives in the 350-strong assembly, according to Reuters. The Socialists and liberal newcomer Ciudadanos voted in favour of Sanchez while the ruling conservative People's Party (PP), anti-austerity upstart Podemos, the former communist Izquierda Unida and four regional parties from the Basque Country and Catalonia voted against him. A small party from the Canary Islands abstained. Sanchez can still be elected Prime Minister if he wins a simple majority of seats in a second vote on Friday although that scenario is unlikely too, as parties who voted against him on Wednesday have already said they won't change their vote.
