Spain's Socialist chief Pedro Sanchez was sworn in as prime minister on Saturday after ousting veteran conservative leader Mariano Rajoy, with Catalonia's separatist president promptly calling for talks over the region's independence drive.
Sanchez, a 46-year-old economist with no government experience, has made a spectacular comeback to the front line of politics. But he faces a tough road ahead, leading a minority government with support of diverse parties ranging from far-left Podemos to Catalan separatists.
He took the oath of office before King Felipe VI in the Zarzuela Palace near Madrid in the presence of Rajoy just a day after toppling him in a historic no-confidence vote.
That move was sparked by fury over a corruption scandal that struck Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP).
"I promise to faithfully fulfil the duties of the post of prime minister with conscience and honour, with loyalty to the king, and to guard and have guarded the constitution as a fundamental state rule," he said. He was the first Spanish prime minister to take the oath without a Bible or crucifix.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.