MADRID -- Spain's Socialist Party has failed for the second time to form a government following inconclusive elections in December that have fragmented the country's political system.
The Socialists lost 131-219 in the 350-member lower house of Parliament in a vote on Socialist Party leader Pedro Sanchez to become prime minister and lead a new government
The vote Friday night came two days after Sanchez' first attempt failed.
Spain's political parties now have two months to try to form a government. If they fail, another national election will be held on June 26.
Spain's traditional two party political system was shattered on Dec. 20 when upstart parties Podemos and Ciudadanos made big inroads.
The conservative Popular Party got the most votes in the election but failed to regain its parliamentary majority.
