Spain's Rajoy says wants to tackle pensions, budget as PM

Spanish conservative leader Mariano Rajoy, who is expected to be confirmed as Prime Minister this coming weekend, said on Wednesday his minority government aimed to debate a new pensions pact with rival parties as soon as he takes office.

 

Rajoy, from the centre-right People's Party (PP), said tackling the sustainability of the pensions system would be one of his top priorities, alongside a new education pact and a reform of the regional financing system.

 

Spain is also under pressure to present a new budget plan for 2017 to Brussels in order to guarantee it can meet public deficit targets for next year, and Rajoy said his government planned to present a new public spending limit to parliament in the coming days.

 

Rajoy is still far from a majority in parliament and will need support from opposition parties to pass measures.