Spain's PM says would like to finalize 2018 budget proposal March 23

The Spanish government aims to finalize its 2018 budget proposal by March 23 at the latest, Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Thursday.

The ruling People’s Party (PP), which has a minority position in parliament and needs backing from other parties to pass the budget, still doesn’t have sufficient cross-party backing but hopes to reach an accord, he said.

“We’ve not closed any agreement with anyone but there is a clear will to reach an accord,” Rajoy said during a television interview.