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M. Continuo

Spain's Rajoy declines to seek confidence of parliament


    MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Friday declined the offer of King Felipe to be the first candidate for next prime minister to seek the confidence of the parliament, the palace said, forcing a new round of talks next week.

    Rajoy, who has called for a 'grand coalition' of centre-right and centre-left forces, has failed to win any support from other parties since an inconclusive election on Dec. 20 and was almost certain to lose the first investiture vote.

    (Reporting by Julien Toyer)