Socialist chief says will need a month of talks before confidence vote

MADRID (Reuters) - The leader of Spain's Socialists, who was on Tuesday picked by the king to lead talks to form a government, said discussions with political parties would likely go over at least one month before he could seek the confidence of parliament. Speaking at a news conference, Pedro Sanchez said he would open talks with all parties - including the conservative People's Party - as of Wednesday, although he would not actively seek the backing of parties that favour Catalonia's independence from Spain. (Reporting by Julien Toyer)