Opposition leader becomes new Spanish PM after Rajoy forced out
Madrid, June 1: Pedro Sanchez, the leader of Spain's opposition Socialist Party, took over as the country's new Prime Minister on Friday after Mariano Rajoy was forced out of office by a no confidence vote in Parliament.
Rajoy was toppled by a corruption scandal involving members of his Popular Party (PP) and became the first leader in Spain's modern democracy to lose a vote of no trust in Parliament, the BBC reported.
Sánchez, 46, secured the needed majority of 176 votes out of 350 seats in Spain's lower chamber. "We're going to sign a new page in the history of democracy in our country," Sánchez said.
A loose multi-party coalition decided to oust Rajoy and his right-wing party following a national court verdict in which several of its former top officials were found guilty of setting up a vast network of corruption in fraudulent financial dealings including bribery, embezzlement, forgery, misuse of public funds, money laundering, tax crimes and influence peddling, among others.
Rajoy's party had also been found guilty of profiting from fraudulent financial practices perpetrated by some of its senior officials. He had been Prime Minister since 2011.
The deciding votes in Rajoy's ouster were cast by the small Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), which only has five lawmakers in Parliament but was crucial to bringing the motion over the 176-vote hurdle for the absolute majority required for Rajoy's eviction and Sánchez's elevation to the country's highest political office.
Sánchez also had the backing of the chamber's third-largest party, the progressive-populist alliance Unidos Podemos ("We Can," UP), whose 71 MPs all voted for a change in government.
During the second day of debate on Friday, Rajoy admitted facing defeat and told MPs that it has been "an honour to leave a better Spain than I found".
Sánchez said Rajoy had failed to take responsibility for his party's involvement in the scandal, which hit the headlines again last week after one of its former treasurers was given a 33-year jail sentence.
The High Court in Madrid convicted Luis Barcenas of receiving bribes, money laundering and tax crimes. The case centred on a secret campaign fund which the PP ran from 1999 until 2005.
Sánchez was yet to disclose the members of his future cabinet, which could either be a minority government made up of only Socialist ministers or a mixed one with members from other parties such as UP, its largest partner in this unprecedented vote.
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'Kantara 2' shooting will be banned if crew violated wildlife rules: Minister Eshwar Khandre
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre said on Monday that the shooting for Kantara Chapter 1, also referred to as Kantara 2, in Hassan district, will be banned and action will be taken if inspection, reveal that the film crew had violated rules, causing damage to wildlife or flora and fauna.
Sources said the locals have complained that the crew of the film starring Rishabh Shetty have been causing damage to the environment in and around Gavibetta, Herur village in Hassan district, by reportedly using explosives while shooting.
The crew have also allegedly ventured deep into the forest when the permission to shoot is restricted to the village grazing land.
“Farmers are already struggling with wild elephant attacks. Despite the Supreme Court’s directive to protect forests, officials have been negligent. Immediate action must be taken to prevent further damage,” warned a man in a video message, claiming to be a former Zilla Panchayat member. The unverified video is also being circulated on social media.
Meanwhile, replying to a question from reporters at the Vidhana Soudha, Khandre said the Hombale Films team had sought permission to shoot the film for 23 days on the edge of Gavibetta and the surrounding protected forest.
He said the Hassan Deputy Conservator of Forests has given conditional permission for this. “However, there are reports in the media that the Kantara team is using explosives during the shoot, which is disturbing the wildlife. As soon as I came to know about the matter, I have instructed the officials and have asked them to visit the place today (Monday) and inspect it,” said Khandre, who is also Bidar District In-charge Minister.
He said if the film crew violates the conditions and causes any damage to wildlife or flora and fauna, the officials can immediately stop the shooting and take action.
In the order issued on Monday, Khandre directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Forest, Environment and Biology to visit the shooting spot at the earliest.
Sources said the locals have also lodged a case at the Yesalur Police Station.
