Sanchez says talks on forming government with Unidas Podemos have failed

Spain's caretaker prime minister Pedro Sanchez has said talks over forming a government with the support of the far-left Unidas Podemos party have failed.

More than two months after topping the general election but falling far short of a parliamentary majority, Socialist leader Mr Sanchez has not secured the votes of Unidas Podemos, whose leader Pablo Iglesias wants to be in the cabinet.

The Socialists have rejected a formal coalition with the anti-austerity party.

Mr Sanchez faces a confidence vote in parliament next Tuesday.

If he fails to gain an absolute majority, he will face a second vote two days later in which he will need a simple majority.

Interviewed on SER radio, Mr Sanchez called on two major right-of-centre parties to abstain, to allow him to win the vote and lead a minority government.