Spain's caretaker prime minister has failed on the first of two opportunities this week to win the endorsement of the national Parliament to form a government.
Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez fell short of the absolute majority of 176 votes of the 350-member lower house needed to win Tuesday's vote.
He received backing of his party's 123 members plus one more member of a marginal regional party.
S?nchez will have another opportunity Thursday, when the bar lowers and he only needs more "Yes" votes than "No" votes. But Sanchez will need to entice the far-left United We Can party into backing him to have a chance on that second bid.
If he fails again, Spain's lawmakers will have until Sept. 23 to form a government or a new election will be triggered.
Associated Press
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