Spain's King Felipe VI, left, shakes hands with Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy before a meeting at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Spain, Friday Jan. 22, 2016. King Felipe VI is meeting with political party leaders before nominating one to try to form a new Spanish government following an inconclusive national election last month. Traditionally, the monarch invites the election winner to form a government, but he can opt for other leaders if they can deliver a more stable option. (Ballesteros/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
MADRID (AP) - Spain's incumbent conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy turned down an offer Friday by King Felipe VI to try to form a new government following last month's inconclusive elections, the Royal Palace said.
The palace announced the decision shortly after the monarch met with Rajoy to wrap up a week of talks with party leaders before nominating a candidate.
In a statement, the palace said the king will begin fresh talks with party leaders next Wednesday in a bid to find another candidate.
Rajoy's Popular Party won most seats - 123 - in the Dec. 20 election but failed to garner a majority in the 350-seat lower house of Parliament.
The king will now most likely call on opposition Socialist party leader Pedro Sanchez to try to from a government. The Socialists came second in the election with 90 seats and appear to have more chances of mustering support from other groups in Parliament to form a coalition.
The nominated candidate must win a vote of confidence in Parliament. If no party leader manages to win Parliament support within two months of the first vote, fresh elections must be called.
No group had expressed any intention of voting for Rajoy, which made parliamentary approval for him highly unlikely.
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Hatton contributed from Lisbon, Portugal.
Spain's King Felipe VI, left, poses with Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy before a meeting at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Spain, Friday Jan. 22, 2016. King Felipe VI is meeting with political party leaders before nominating one to try to form a new Spanish government following an inconclusive national election last month. Traditionally, the monarch invites the election winner to form a government, but he can opt for other leaders if they can deliver a more stable option. (Ballesteros/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Spain's King Felipe VI, left, speaks with Spain's Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez before a meeting at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid, Spain, Friday Jan. 22, 2016. King Felipe VI is meeting with political party leaders before nominating one to try to form a new Spanish government following an inconclusive national election last month. Traditionally, the monarch invites the election winner to form a government, but he can opt for other leaders if they can deliver a more stable option. (Angel Diaz/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press