Acting Spanish PM still looking for way to form gov't

Acting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez assured on Wednesday that he will continue working to form a viable government despite his defeat in two investiture votes on July 23 and 25.

Sanchez has now been acting prime minister for 100 days since his Socialist (PSOE) Party won the April 28 general election with 123 of the 350 seats in the Spanish Congress of Deputies.

Talks with the left wing party Unidos Podemos to form a coalition government broke down between mutual recriminations and on Wednesday Sanchez said the lack of trust between the two parties was "reciprocal," although he added he would "not throw in the towel" in his efforts to return to power.

He spoke after meeting King Felipe VI on the island of Mallorca, only days after the King had commented that "a solution" to the political stalemate was preferable to "holding another general election.

In declaration broadcast on Spanish state TV network RTVE, Sanchez again asked for the support of Unidos Podemos and for the right wing parties Ciudadanos and the People's Party (PP) to abstain to allow his investiture.

"The Spanish people don't deserve to have to go back to the polls," he said, adding that the King was "correct" in stating that it was desirable to form a government.

The acting prime minister said he wanted "a progressive government," and although he ruled out further talks with Unidos Podemos over the formation of a coalition government, he insisted there "were many formulas...there are investiture agreements which we can consider or we could agree over legislation."

"There are many options to help us reach an understanding," insisted Sanchez.

The Socialist leader will face a further investiture vote no later than September 23, but if he also loses that, the Spanish Congress of Deputies will be dissolved and a new general election held in November.