Spanish PM rejects King's offer to form new government

The Conservative Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has rejected an offer by King Felipe VI to try to form a new government following last month’s inconclusive elections.

In a statement released by Spain’s royal palace on Friday evening, the palace said the king would begin fresh talks with the leaders next Wednesday in the hopes of finding another candidate.

Rajoy's refusal followed a week of talks between the monarch and party leaders. His Popular Party won most seats in the December 20th election but the number fell short of an overall majority in the 350-seat lower house of parliament.

Earlier in the day, the Socialists and anti-austerity party Podemos said they would seek a deal to form a The Socialists came second in the election with 90. They are thought to have more chances of mustering support from other groups in Parliament in forming a coalition.

Rajoy’s Popular party won most seats – 123 – in the 20 December election but that was well short of an overall majority in the 350-seat lower house of parliament.

The king is expected to now call on Pedro Sánchez, the leader of the opposition Socialist party, to try to form a government. The Socialists came second in the election with 90 seats.