Spain’s Parliament has rejected a 2019 budget proposal, marking a major blow to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and raising the prospect of a potential snap general election.
A host of minority regional parties, including the Catalans, refused to support the crucial piece of legislation and voted against the proposal put forward by the socialist-led cabinet of Sanchez. The prime minister had earlier put his political future at stake, promising that if the 2019 budget is not adopted, he would call a snap election in mid-April.
Also on rt.com 'Test of democracy': Catalan leaders on trial amid political turmoil for Spanish governmentSanchez’s Socialists, who hold 84 of the 350 seats in the parliament, heavily relied on the support of Basque and Catalan parties during the budget vote, as they did when seizing power from the conservative People’s Party in a confidence vote last year.
But Catalan nationalists were unhappy with the government being reluctant to discuss the issue of independence for their wealthy region, voting against the budget bill.
Overall, 191 lawmakers voted against the budget and 158 voted in favor, with one MP abstaining.
The snap election date is yet to be set, although government officials say mid-April is the most likely option, according to Reuters.
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Source : RT - Daily news
Spanish parliament rejects Socialist government's budget, paving way for possible early elections
Spanish parliament rejects Socialist government's budget, paving way for possible early elections
