Spanish PM in negotiations ahead of crucial vote

Spain’s caretaker Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has until today to strike a coalition government deal with the far-left Podemos party, after he lost a parliamentary confidence vote on Tuesday.

Pedro’s socialist party won 123 seats in an election in April but fell short of an absolute majority.

He needs to secure the support of Podemos in order win a second, decisive vote today.

He also requires support from smaller, regional parties as he needs a full majority of at least 176 of 350 votes to be confirmed as prime minister.

On Tuesday he lost by 170 votes to 124, with 52 abstentions.

If he manages to form a coalition government, it would be the first in post-dictatorship Spain.