The Spanish parliament has voted down a second bid by Pedro Sanchez, leader of the Socialist Party (PSOE), for the post of prime minister in a minority government, following a failed attempt two days earlier.
The 44-year-old lawmaker needed a simple majority in the yes-or-no vote, which he lost 131-219 in the 350-seat chamber on Friday.
During the debate in the lower house, Sanchez said that the country "could not wait a minute longer for the renewal of its political life to begin".
Spain has struggled to form a government since inconclusive polls on December 20.
King Felipe VI last month asked Sanchez to try to form a government after conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy was unable to secure enough support from other parties.
Parties now have until May 2 to form a new government. Should they remain unsuccessful new elections are to be called for June 26.
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