Spain's Socialist leader becomes new PM

MADRID - Spain's Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez became the new prime minister on Friday after the non-confidence motion against the conservative People's Party leader Mariano Rajoy was passed at the Spanish Congress of Deputies.

The motion of non-confidence, the first one that triumphs in Spanish democratic history, obtained 180 votes in favor, 169 against and 1 abstention.

MPs from the Socialists (PSOE), from the left wing party Podemos, along with regional parties from Spain, including Catalan and Basque, voted in favor.

According to local media, Sanchez said to be aware of the responsibility he has and the complex political situation in Spain, stating that he would face the challenges with "determination".

He also said he would open "dialogues", always according to the constitution, to deal with the separatist issue in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia.

Sanchez said he would respect the already passed 2018 State Budget and announced he would be willing to call general elections, although he did not reveal any dates.

The 63-year-old Rajoy refused to resign before the vote as he said he had the voters' confidence of the last election.

The motion of non-confidence was filed by the Socialist Party after Rajoy's party, People's Party, was found guilty of benefiting financially from a corruption case, known as the "Gurtel Case".