Spain's Rajoy says Socialist opposition could spark third election

Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gestures during a news conference at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, July 28, 2016. REUTERS/Juan Medina

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said on Tuesday that repeated opposition from the Socialists to his proposals to form a government would prolong the seven-month political stalemate and could prompt a third election. Following two inconclusive elections in six months, Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez met with Rajoy earlier on Tuesday to discuss the deadlock. Sanchez maintained his party would vote against a conservative-led government in an eventual parliamentary confidence vote, however. "With this 'no', the situation remains blocked and this takes us to a third election," Rajoy told a news conference, adding that commitments from the Socialists on various policy issues were also needed to form a stable government beyond just an investiture vote. (Reporting by Sarah White, Editing by Paul Day)