Spain's Socialists Secure Speaker Role and Vital Lifeline, Paving Way for Leftist Government

Francina Armengol, candidate of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, has been elected as the parliamentary speaker in Spain, signaling a positive outcome for Pedro Sanchez's bid to become prime minister. Armengol's election was secured through a last-minute deal with the Catalan separatist party JxCat, which holds significant influence. However, negotiations for Sanchez's investiture vote are expected to be more complex. The vote also highlighted challenges for Alberto Nunez-Feijoo of the right-wing Popular Party, who will need the support of the far-right Vox to form a government. The next step for parliament is to choose a prime minister, with an investiture vote scheduled for later this month or early September. The separatists have set high demands, including amnesty for those involved in the failed 2017 independence bid and a referendum on self-determination.