Spain: Rajoy Accepts Royal Commission To Attempt To Form Government

The acting Prime Minister of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, responded to the monarch that although he does not have sufficient parliamentary support to do so, he will look for the necessary support within a reasonable period.

Rajoy gave a press briefing at Moncloa Palace after closing off the round of consultations held by King Felipe VI at Zarzuela Palace with the representatives of the parliamentary groups, to propose a candidate for the Presidency of the Government under the 12th Legislature.

Rajoy informed the monarch of the public and private talks he had held with the leaders of the main political forces with the aim of forming a “stable and solid government as swiftly as possible”.

“It is necessary to have a government that, with the broadest consensus possible, can tackle the very serious challenges we face and which will not permit any form of introspection,” Rajoy said.

In this regard, Rajoy recalled that he had sent out a working document, containing his proposals, to the parliamentary groups, while reiterating that this was open for discussion. “We have never considered this as a contract of accession, but rather as a general script open to negotiation. This was and is a proposal open to debate and an agreement that sets out the major targets for Spain on which we can reach agreement, but which requires proposals to make this consensus a reality”.

Rajoy stated that the King commissioned him to stand for a vote of investiture for the Presidency of the Government. “I explained to him that, to date, I do not have sufficient support to do so, but that I would accept the commission. I will look for this support, which I have been doing to date, and I will now do so in my role under a commission from the Head of State”.

“My intention is to negotiate a potential program to govern. To do this, I will address my actions on a preferential basis to the pro-Constitution parties, those with which I feel it would be most reasonable to reach an agreement, now more than ever. The vast majority of Spaniards share these same values: the defence of unity and national sovereignty, our rights and liberties, our commitment to the European project and the fight against terrorism. I believe that these common values are a good starting point to make progress on dialogue,” Rajoy said.

Rajoy added that it is his intention to seek support to form a government that is “moderate, stable, with a clear parliamentary support, a well-defined action plan and a calendar in which to carry that out”, but that if this option is not available, he is open to “exploring the possibility of a minority government” with only the support of his own party.

Rajoy acknowledged that “this formula is only possible if the rest of the groups guarantee minimum loyalty so as not to block urgent and important issues”, such as the budget stability targets and the sustainability of the public debt, the transposition of EU directives, the drafting of the budget, counter-terrorism measures and the broad strokes of foreign policy.

In this regard, Rajoy maintained that he has taken on the maximum responsibility as the president of the most voted-for party, but the other leaders, according to the support they have received, must also collaborate. “We must avoid holding a third round of elections, find a channel for the will of the Spanish people as expressed through the ballot box, be respectful with how they have voted and offer a swift solution that allows the thrust of our economic recovery to be maintained.”

Rajoy stressed that, as from Friday, he will step up negotiations and open up a round of contacts, this time under a Royal Commission. “In a reasonable time I will report on the actions I have carried out, on the results therefrom, on the support I have achieved for a potential vote of confidence and, consequently, on whether or not I am in a position to form a government.”