Pol deadlock in Spain ends

Spain’s Socialists, racing to end weeks of political deadlock following inconclusive elections, announced on Wednesday that the centrist Ciudadanos party has agreed to back their candidate for prime minister.

“In 45 minutes we will present the document,” said Antonio Hernando, the lawmaker who is leading the Socialist team negotiating a coalition agreement with other parties. Obviously the deal (with Ciudadanos) implies a vote in favour of the investiture” of Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez. He said the deal would be presented to party leaders on Wednesday, then to the media and then signed in the lower house of parliament.

Socialists have been battling to win enough support from other parties to form a minority government while avoiding a risky alliance with anti-austerity party Podemos.