Ex-leader lost party assembly vote by 132 to 107 after 10-hour debate, potentially signalling the end of a nine-month standoff in Spanish politics

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Pedro Sánchez has resigned as leader of Spain’s Socialist party after losing a vote triggered by a party revolt. The move could pave the way for the formation of a new government and end a nine-month political deadlock.

Sánchez had been in a stand-off with acting prime minister Mariano Rajoy’s People’s party, frustrating attempts to form a government after two elections left the conservatives with the most votes, but shy of a majority.

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Members of the bitterly divided Socialist assembly met on Saturday to decide whether to open up a leadership race in October, as proposed by Sánchez, or oust him.

Shouts from the meeting at the party headquarters in Madrid were heard from outside as members argued over what the vote should be. One person stormed out before the end, saying the party was “broken”, and Sánchez eventually lost by 132 votes to 107 after a tumultuous 10-hour debate.

“Today, following a day of intense debates, a vote was held on whether a party conference should take place on 23 October so that the grassroots could pick their leader … Unfortunately, I have lost this vote and I have resigned as secretary general of the party,” Sanchez told a news conference.

The departure of Sánchez, who became leader in 2014 and has presided over a slump in party support, means the Socialists can now try to find ways to avoid a third election, such as abstaining in a confidence vote to allow Rajoy a second term.

The Socialists will be under interim management until a party conference can choose a new leader. Party insiders say the powerful head of the Andalusia region, Susana Díaz, is the favourite, though it is not clear when a new secretary general will be picked.