The day before King Felipe VI's visited Barcelona, Catalan independence supporters burnt pictures of the Spanish head of state in a public square. Watch report.

Protests in Barcelona over King Felipe VI's visit: Demonstrators burn King's photos

Spanish King Felipe VI of Spain has renounced the wealth of his father King Emerit Juan Carlos I.

He has also distanced himself from his father&nbsp;over the alleged financial irregularities involving the former monarch.&nbsp;

The announcement came after reports earlier this month that the former monarch Juan Carlos had received 100 million dollars from Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah in 2008 through an offshore account.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-in-last-chance-bid-to-avoid-fresh-elections-249587">Spain in last-chance bid to avoid fresh elections</a>

A later report stated that 52-year-old King Felipe was also a beneficiary of the fund, which it said had been set up when Juan Carlos was still on the throne.

In the palace statement released Sunday, the reigning king said that in April he had made it clear to a notary that he would accept no money from the foundation in question.

Watch: Art or show? 228,000 dollar to burn down a statue of Spain's king

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/art-or-show-228000-dollar-to-burn-down-a-statue-of-spains-king-200480/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Felipe denied any knowledge of the fund in Sunday’s statement.

The royal house said in a statement that in addition to renouncing his inheritance, Felipe is stripping Juan Carlos of his annual stipend.&nbsp;

The statement said King Felipe was renouncing any assets, shares or investments that might be either illegal or compromise the royal family's integrity.

According to the national media reports say Juan Carlos has until now received an annual allowance from the state of more than 194,000 euros.

Juan Carlos, 82, became king in November 1975 and reigned until his abdication in June 2014.

Spanish King Felipe VI of Spain has renounced the wealth of his father King Emerit Juan Carlos I. He has also distanced himself from his father over the alleged financial irregularities involving the former monarch.

Spanish King Felipe VI of Spain has renounced the wealth of his father King Emerit Juan Carlos I. He has also distanced himself from his father over the alleged financial irregularities involving the former monarch. The announcement came after reports earlier this month that the former monarch Juan Carlos had received 100 million dollars from Saudi Arabia’s late King Abdullah in 2008 through an offshore account. Also read: Spain in last-chance bid to avoid fresh elections A later report stated that 52-year-old King Felipe was also a beneficiary of the fund, which it said had been set up when Juan Carlos was still on the throne. In the palace statement released Sunday, the reigning king said that in April he had made it clear to a notary that he would accept no money from the foundation in question. Watch: Art or show? 228,000 dollar to burn down a statue of Spain's king Felipe denied any knowledge of the fund in Sunday’s statement. The royal house said in a statement that in addition to renouncing his inheritance, Felipe is stripping Juan Carlos of his annual stipend. The statement said King Felipe was renouncing any assets, shares or investments that might be either illegal or compromise the royal family's integrity. According to the national media reports say Juan Carlos has until now received an annual allowance from the state of more than 194,000 euros. Juan Carlos, 82, became king in November 1975 and reigned until his abdication in June 2014.

Spanish King renounces inheritance and distances himself from father amid scandal

World leaders flock to Israel to mark 75th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation

Spain's Pedro Sanchez has just nine days left to resolve a political crisis that could drag the country to its fourth elections in as many years. Everything hinges on him securing support from the far-left Podemos.

He has until September 23 to be confirmed as premier or Spain's deeply-fragmented parliament will be dissolved once again and a new general election held on November 10.

Sanchez's Socialists won the last elections in April but fell far short of a majority, leaving him dependent on the backing of Podemos as well as several smaller regional parties.

Without that, he cannot win the backing of parliament and formally begin a new term at Moncloa, the official residence of Spain's prime minister.

Back in July, Sanchez made two attempts to secure confirmation by the assembly but failed following a dispute with Podemos and its leader Pablo Iglesias that has yet to be resolved.

The Socialists had initially agreed to form a coalition, albeit reluctantly, with the radical leftwing party, offering it several government portfolios, but Podemos refused, saying the posts did not carry enough political clout.

Now Sanchez has taken the offer of a coalition off the table, offering Iglesias only talks on a joint policy programme in the hope of establishing a minority government with ad hoc parliamentary support from the party.

And six weeks on, the situation remains deadlocked.

'King hopes to break the deadlock'

Iglesias has insisted on his party entering government but faced with Sanchez's intransigence, he on Friday suggested forming a "temporary coalition government" that would be able to approve the state budget.

If Sanchez was unhappy with the result, Podemos could then withdraw, while retaining his majority in the chamber, he said.

But government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa dismissed the idea as "absurd" saying the country needs a "solid government" and not one "subject to any test period".

"It is highly unlikely they will reach an agreement," said Ernesto Pascual, professor of political science at the Open University of Catalonia.

In a bid to break the deadlock, King Felipe VI will on Monday begin two days of meetings with party leaders, meeting Iglesias on Tuesday afternoon and Sanchez later that evening.

As head of state, only he can give a formal mandate to Sanchez to once again present his candidacy as head of government to parliament, should an agreement be found.

'Entrenched positions'&nbsp;

"While there remains ample scope for an agreement, new elections are now likely, given both parties' entrenched positions," wrote Eurasia Group senior analyst Federico Santi in a note.

"Crucially, the leadership of neither party considers an electoral repetition as particularly risky or costly as of now."

Should fresh elections be held, surveys suggest the Socialists would win more seats but still fall short of a majority.

And Podemos would have less to lose from a new election than opting to back a Socialist government.

Were they to back such a government without taking an active part in it, the leadership fears the party "would be sidelined over time, losing more ground to the Socialists in the long-term struggle between the two parties for the leadership of the Spanish left," Santi wrote.

And if a new election were held, the outcome would most likely be similar to the current situation, with Sanchez still needing the support of Podemos and smaller regional parties, he added.

Spain has been gripped by political instability since the December 2015 elections ended the traditional two-party system with the emergence of two Podemos and the business-friendly Ciudadanos, leaving the parliament deeply-fragmented.

And the rise of far-right upstart Vox, which entered parliament following April's election, has further complicated the political picture. 
&nbsp;

Spain's Pedro Sanchez has just nine days left to resolve a political crisis that could drag the country to its fourth elections in as many years. Everything hinges on him securing support from the far-left Podemos.

Spain's Pedro Sanchez has just nine days left to resolve a political crisis that could drag the country to its fourth elections in as many years. Everything hinges on him securing support from the far-left Podemos. He has until September 23 to be confirmed as premier or Spain's deeply-fragmented parliament will be dissolved once again and a new general election held on November 10. Sanchez's Socialists won the last elections in April but fell far short of a majority, leaving him dependent on the backing of Podemos as well as several smaller regional parties. Without that, he cannot win the backing of parliament and formally begin a new term at Moncloa, the official residence of Spain's prime minister. Back in July, Sanchez made two attempts to secure confirmation by the assembly but failed following a dispute with Podemos and its leader Pablo Iglesias that has yet to be resolved. The Socialists had initially agreed to form a coalition, albeit reluctantly, with the radical leftwing party, offering it several government portfolios, but Podemos refused, saying the posts did not carry enough political clout. Now Sanchez has taken the offer of a coalition off the table, offering Iglesias only talks on a joint policy programme in the hope of establishing a minority government with ad hoc parliamentary support from the party. And six weeks on, the situation remains deadlocked. 'King hopes to break the deadlock' Iglesias has insisted on his party entering government but faced with Sanchez's intransigence, he on Friday suggested forming a "temporary coalition government" that would be able to approve the state budget. If Sanchez was unhappy with the result, Podemos could then withdraw, while retaining his majority in the chamber, he said. But government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa dismissed the idea as "absurd" saying the country needs a "solid government" and not one "subject to any test period". "It is highly unlikely they will reach an agreement," said Ernesto Pascual, professor of political science at the Open University of Catalonia. In a bid to break the deadlock, King Felipe VI will on Monday begin two days of meetings with party leaders, meeting Iglesias on Tuesday afternoon and Sanchez later that evening. As head of state, only he can give a formal mandate to Sanchez to once again present his candidacy as head of government to parliament, should an agreement be found. 'Entrenched positions' "While there remains ample scope for an agreement, new elections are now likely, given both parties' entrenched positions," wrote Eurasia Group senior analyst Federico Santi in a note. "Crucially, the leadership of neither party considers an electoral repetition as particularly risky or costly as of now." Should fresh elections be held, surveys suggest the Socialists would win more seats but still fall short of a majority. And Podemos would have less to lose from a new election than opting to back a Socialist government. Were they to back such a government without taking an active part in it, the leadership fears the party "would be sidelined over time, losing more ground to the Socialists in the long-term struggle between the two parties for the leadership of the Spanish left," Santi wrote. And if a new election were held, the outcome would most likely be similar to the current situation, with Sanchez still needing the support of Podemos and smaller regional parties, he added. Spain has been gripped by political instability since the December 2015 elections ended the traditional two-party system with the emergence of two Podemos and the business-friendly Ciudadanos, leaving the parliament deeply-fragmented. And the rise of far-right upstart Vox, which entered parliament following April's election, has further complicated the political picture.

Spain in last-chance bid to avoid fresh elections

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won a national election on Sunday but failed to gain a parliamentary majority. Sanchez will now seek partners to form a new government.

Here are the likely next steps:

What happens now?

Sanchez will approach other parties in an attempt to find common ground to form a government. The talks could last weeks if not months.

The first session of the lower chamber is scheduled for May 21. After that, King Felipe will consult with party leaders to find a prime ministerial candidate who the lower chamber will support.

A new government needs an absolute majority in a first-round parliamentary vote to take office. In a second round vote, only a simple majority is necessary.

If the candidate fails to pass these votes, the clock starts ticking on a two-month deadline for deputies to choose a new prime minister before parliament is automatically dissolved, and another election scheduled to take place 54 days later.

What is the most likely outcome?

Most analysts believe the most likely result is a coalition government of the Socialists and leftist Podemos, although they would not have a majority.

At the last count, the Socialists had won 123 seats in parliament and Podemos 42. That leaves them 11 seats short of a majority in the 350-seat parliament and means they would still rely on smaller parties, most likely Basque nationalists or Catalan separatists, to go ahead.

The picture could still change slightly as the election count is finalised in the first weeks of May.

Other possible outcomes

If talks between the Socialists and Podemos fail, Sanchez could contact centre-right Ciudadanos, which became Spain's third-biggest party after Sunday's vote with 57 seats in parliament. The two parties would have a majority and many in the financial markets see this as the preferred option.

So far neither party has backed this option. Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera has told supporters his party would lead the parliamentary opposition to Sanchez while Socialist backers chanted "with Rivera, no!" at a post-election rally on Sunday.

Alternatively, senior members of Sanchez's government have suggested they could continue to govern with a minority of seats, as they have since taking office last June.

How long will it take?

After discussions with the parties, King Felipe faces no specific deadline to propose a candidate.

There are regional and local elections on May 26 - the same day as European Parliament elections - which will delay talks to form a government. That means a new government is unlikely to be ready until June or July.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won a national election on Sunday but failed to gain a parliamentary majority. Sanchez will now seek partners to form a new government.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won a national election on Sunday but failed to gain a parliamentary majority. Sanchez will now seek partners to form a new government. Here are the likely next steps: What happens now? Sanchez will approach other parties in an attempt to find common ground to form a government. The talks could last weeks if not months. The first session of the lower chamber is scheduled for May 21. After that, King Felipe will consult with party leaders to find a prime ministerial candidate who the lower chamber will support. A new government needs an absolute majority in a first-round parliamentary vote to take office. In a second round vote, only a simple majority is necessary. If the candidate fails to pass these votes, the clock starts ticking on a two-month deadline for deputies to choose a new prime minister before parliament is automatically dissolved, and another election scheduled to take place 54 days later. What is the most likely outcome? Most analysts believe the most likely result is a coalition government of the Socialists and leftist Podemos, although they would not have a majority. At the last count, the Socialists had won 123 seats in parliament and Podemos 42. That leaves them 11 seats short of a majority in the 350-seat parliament and means they would still rely on smaller parties, most likely Basque nationalists or Catalan separatists, to go ahead. The picture could still change slightly as the election count is finalised in the first weeks of May. Other possible outcomes If talks between the Socialists and Podemos fail, Sanchez could contact centre-right Ciudadanos, which became Spain's third-biggest party after Sunday's vote with 57 seats in parliament. The two parties would have a majority and many in the financial markets see this as the preferred option. So far neither party has backed this option. Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera has told supporters his party would lead the parliamentary opposition to Sanchez while Socialist backers chanted "with Rivera, no!" at a post-election rally on Sunday. Alternatively, senior members of Sanchez's government have suggested they could continue to govern with a minority of seats, as they have since taking office last June. How long will it take? After discussions with the parties, King Felipe faces no specific deadline to propose a candidate. There are regional and local elections on May 26 - the same day as European Parliament elections - which will delay talks to form a government. That means a new government is unlikely to be ready until June or July.

What happens next as Spain's Socialists try to form government

The 500-year-old wounds of the Spanish conquest were ripped open afresh on Monday when Mexico's president urged Spain and the Vatican to apologize for their "abuses" -- a request Madrid said it "firmly rejects."

Spain's centuries of dominance in the New World, backed by the Catholic Church, leapt from the history books to the headlines when Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called on Spanish King Felipe VI and Pope Francis to apologize for the conquest and the rights violations committed in its aftermath.

"I have sent a letter to the king of Spain and another to the pope, calling for a full account of the abuses and urging them to apologize to the indigenous peoples (of Mexico) for the violations of what we now call their human rights," Lopez Obrador said.

He made the remarks in a video, filmed at the ruins of the indigenous city of Comalcalco and posted on Facebook and Twitter.

"There were massacres and oppression. The so-called conquest was waged with the sword and the cross. They built their churches on top of the (indigenous) temples," added the anti-establishment leftist.

"The time has come to reconcile. But let us ask forgiveness first."

Spain's rejection was immediate and blunt.

"The government of Spain deeply regrets that the letter the Mexican president sent to his majesty the king, whose contents we firmly reject, has been made public," it said in a statement.

"The arrival, 500 years ago, of Spaniards to present Mexican territory cannot be judged in the light of contemporary considerations," it said.

"Our two brother nations have always known how to read our shared past without anger and with a constructive perspective."

300-year reign&nbsp; 
Lopez Obrador made the remarks during a visit to the Mayan pyramids of Comalcalco, in his native Tabasco state, in southern Mexico.

He later visited the nearby city of Centla, the scene of the first battle between Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and the indigenous peoples of the land now known as Mexico, on March 14, 1519.

With the help of horses, swords, guns and smallpox -- all unknown in the New World at the time -- Cortes led an army of fewer than 1,000 men to defeat the Aztec empire, the start of 300 years of Spanish rule over Mexico.

The abuses continued until independence from Spain in 1821, and beyond, Lopez Obrador said.

"Thousands of people were murdered during this period. One culture and civilization imposed itself on another," he said later in a speech.

"There are still open wounds. It's better to recognize that abuses were committed, and mistakes were made. It's better to ask forgiveness and seek to be brothers in a historic reconciliation."

He added that he, too, planned to offer an apology, "because the repression of indigenous peoples continued after the colonial period."

It's complicated&nbsp; 
Mexico has a complicated relationship with its colonial past.

Its history, culture, food and the Mexican people themselves are the product of "mestizaje," the mixing of the Old and New Worlds.

According to a government study, 98 per cent of Mexicans have some combination of indigenous, European and African ancestry.

But although that mixture made modern Mexico -- and gave the world the gifts of chocolate, tacos de carnitas and Day of the Dead -- it is also a past tainted by violence, rape and oppression.

Lopez Obrador, 65, took office in December after a landslide election win that represented a firm break with Mexico's traditional political parties.

A folksy populist, he pulls no punches in going after traditional elites, and has sought to cast himself as a champion of Mexico's indigenous peoples.

But he had so far cultivated cordial relations with Spain and the Vatican, including during a visit to Mexico City by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez earlier this year.

Sanchez, a fellow leftist, marked the occasion by presenting the Mexican president with his grandfather Jose Obrador's Spanish birth certificate, from 1893.

The 500-year-old wounds of the Spanish conquest were ripped open afresh on Monday when Mexico's president urged Spain and the Vatican to apologize for their "abuses" -- a request Madrid said it "firmly rejects.

The 500-year-old wounds of the Spanish conquest were ripped open afresh on Monday when Mexico's president urged Spain and the Vatican to apologize for their "abuses" -- a request Madrid said it "firmly rejects." Spain's centuries of dominance in the New World, backed by the Catholic Church, leapt from the history books to the headlines when Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called on Spanish King Felipe VI and Pope Francis to apologize for the conquest and the rights violations committed in its aftermath. "I have sent a letter to the king of Spain and another to the pope, calling for a full account of the abuses and urging them to apologize to the indigenous peoples (of Mexico) for the violations of what we now call their human rights," Lopez Obrador said. He made the remarks in a video, filmed at the ruins of the indigenous city of Comalcalco and posted on Facebook and Twitter. "There were massacres and oppression. The so-called conquest was waged with the sword and the cross. They built their churches on top of the (indigenous) temples," added the anti-establishment leftist. "The time has come to reconcile. But let us ask forgiveness first." Spain's rejection was immediate and blunt. "The government of Spain deeply regrets that the letter the Mexican president sent to his majesty the king, whose contents we firmly reject, has been made public," it said in a statement. "The arrival, 500 years ago, of Spaniards to present Mexican territory cannot be judged in the light of contemporary considerations," it said. "Our two brother nations have always known how to read our shared past without anger and with a constructive perspective." 300-year reign Lopez Obrador made the remarks during a visit to the Mayan pyramids of Comalcalco, in his native Tabasco state, in southern Mexico. He later visited the nearby city of Centla, the scene of the first battle between Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes and the indigenous peoples of the land now known as Mexico, on March 14, 1519. With the help of horses, swords, guns and smallpox -- all unknown in the New World at the time -- Cortes led an army of fewer than 1,000 men to defeat the Aztec empire, the start of 300 years of Spanish rule over Mexico. The abuses continued until independence from Spain in 1821, and beyond, Lopez Obrador said. "Thousands of people were murdered during this period. One culture and civilization imposed itself on another," he said later in a speech. "There are still open wounds. It's better to recognize that abuses were committed, and mistakes were made. It's better to ask forgiveness and seek to be brothers in a historic reconciliation." He added that he, too, planned to offer an apology, "because the repression of indigenous peoples continued after the colonial period." It's complicated Mexico has a complicated relationship with its colonial past. Its history, culture, food and the Mexican people themselves are the product of "mestizaje," the mixing of the Old and New Worlds. According to a government study, 98 per cent of Mexicans have some combination of indigenous, European and African ancestry. But although that mixture made modern Mexico -- and gave the world the gifts of chocolate, tacos de carnitas and Day of the Dead -- it is also a past tainted by violence, rape and oppression. Lopez Obrador, 65, took office in December after a landslide election win that represented a firm break with Mexico's traditional political parties. A folksy populist, he pulls no punches in going after traditional elites, and has sought to cast himself as a champion of Mexico's indigenous peoples. But he had so far cultivated cordial relations with Spain and the Vatican, including during a visit to Mexico City by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez earlier this year. Sanchez, a fellow leftist, marked the occasion by presenting the Mexican president with his grandfather Jose Obrador's Spanish birth certificate, from 1893.

Mexico demands apology for colonial 'abuses,' Spain says no

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The Indian government has asked social media company Facebook to respond by June 20 to media reports of sharing users data without their explicit consent on Thursday.

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In response to the reports of US diplomats getting sick from a mysterious disease, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that it has conducted an investigation and "found no cause or clues" regarding the reports.

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The Centre had decided to withdraw cases against those "misled into stone pelting" as it was concerned about the future of Jammu and Kashmir's youth, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called an alleged influence on the US 2016 election by Russia a "total nonsense".

Speaking in a live TV question-and-answer marathon, he said that possible Russian interference in the US election process "can only be called a joke".

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/spain-swears-in-new-cabinet-with-record-number-of-women-142858">Spain swears in </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/spain-swears-in-new-cabinet-with-record-number-of-women-142858">new</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/spain-swears-in-new-cabinet-with-record-number-of-women-142858"> cabinet with </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/spain-swears-in-new-cabinet-with-record-number-of-women-142858">record</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/spain-swears-in-new-cabinet-with-record-number-of-women-142858"> number of women</a>

King Felipe VI on Thursday swore in Spain's new pro-EU government with a record 11 women members including in key posts such as defence and economy, and six male ministers.

 
&nbsp;

India seeks Facebook's response over reports of data sharing without consent The Indian government has asked social media company Facebook to respond by June 20 to media reports of sharing users data without their explicit consent on Thursday. China says 'no clue' on mystery illness striking US diplomats In response to the reports of US diplomats getting sick from a mysterious disease, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that it has conducted an investigation and "found no cause or clues" regarding the reports. Centre concerned about future of J&K youth: Home Minister Rajnath Singh The Centre had decided to withdraw cases against those "misled into stone pelting" as it was concerned about the future of Jammu and Kashmir's youth, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today. Vladimir Putin says its complete nonsense that Russia meddled in US election Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday called an alleged influence on the US 2016 election by Russia a "total nonsense". Speaking in a live TV question-and-answer marathon, he said that possible Russian interference in the US election process "can only be called a joke". Spain swears in new cabinet with record number of women King Felipe VI on Thursday swore in Spain's new pro-EU government with a record 11 women members including in key posts such as defence and economy, and six male ministers.

News brief: Big stories of the day

King Felipe VI on Thursday swore in Spain's new pro-EU government with a record 11 women members including in key posts such as defence and economy, and six male ministers.

With just 84 seats in Spain's 350-seat parliament, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's administration also has the smallest representation of any government since the country returned to democracy and it is not expected to last until the end of its mandate in 2020.

The new executive composed by the 46-year-old, who ousted conservative veteran Mariano Rajoy as prime minister last Friday in a no-confidence vote, includes astronaut Pedro Duque as science minister.

EU budget manager Nadia Calvino became economy minister and former European Parliament president Josep Borrell foreign minister.

When Sanchez presented his cabinet on Wednesday evening he said it was "a reflection of the best in society" -- a society he described as composed of women and men, old and young, rooted in the European Union.

But as a minority government, it will have a tough time governing Spain, relying as it will on the votes of far-left party Podemos as well as Basque and Catalan nationalist lawmakers who supported his no-confidence motion.

Each new minister vowed to "faithfully fulfil the duties of minister... with loyalty to the king" at a ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace near Madrid.

Former judges, prosecutors

The new executive includes two veteran Socialists -- Carmen Calvo, vice-president, and Borrell.

Calvo, who was culture minister from 2004 to 2007, will also be in charge of equality, a priority for Sanchez's government in a country where women staged an unprecedented strike to defend their rights on March 8.

Anti-terror prosecutor Dolores Delgado became justice minister, former Supreme Court judge Margarita Robles defence minister, and other women have been put in charge of education, employment or health.

Fernando Grande-Marlaska, an openly gay former judge at Spain's top-level National Court, where he took on cases against Basque separatist group ETA, heads up the interior ministry.

Women also lead the economic team of Sanchez's government, whose "main priority" will be to respect Madrid's deficit reduction commitments to the EU, the new prime minister has said.

Spain has promised to reduce its deficit to 2.2 per cent of GDP in 2018, thus finally going under the three per cent limit set by Brussels.&nbsp;

Calvino, the new economy minister, has 12 years of experience in high-level postings in Brussels.

Maria Jesus Montero, meanwhile, became budget minister after playing a similar role at a regional level in southern Andalusia.

In the name of maintaining "stability," Sanchez has also promised to implement the 2018 budget crafted by the previous conservative government.

Among the budget's key measures are a one to three per cent rise in the lowest pensions and a salary increase for civil servants, ahead of municipal, regional and European elections next year.

Catalans, astronaut, author

Sanchez's new team also includes a minister in charge of science, innovation and universities.

And the man to take that role is Spain's first astronaut Pedro Duque.

As Brexit gathers pace, and with Italy now led by a eurosceptic, populist government, Spain's new executive is distinctly pro-EU.

Apart from Calvino's appointment as an economy minister -- a move welcome by the EU Commission -- Borrell was European parliament president between 2004 and 2007.

A Catalan who is fiercely against the independence movement in his home region, Borrell will be tasked with defending his government's commitment to Spanish unity abroad.

He has said the previous conservative government was "very bad" when it came to public relations abroad on the Catalan separatist issue.

On a day-to-day basis, Meritxell Batet, another Catalan, has been put in charge of relations with Spain's regions.

As such, she will have the prickly task of trying to ease the situation in her own deeply divided home region.

Finally, Maxim Huerta, an award-winning author, became culture minister.

European Union budget manager Nadia Calvino became an economy minister and former European Parliament president Josep Borrell foreign minister

King Felipe VI on Thursday swore in Spain's new pro-EU government with a record 11 women members including in key posts such as defence and economy, and six male ministers. With just 84 seats in Spain's 350-seat parliament, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's administration also has the smallest representation of any government since the country returned to democracy and it is not expected to last until the end of its mandate in 2020. The new executive composed by the 46-year-old, who ousted conservative veteran Mariano Rajoy as prime minister last Friday in a no-confidence vote, includes astronaut Pedro Duque as science minister. EU budget manager Nadia Calvino became economy minister and former European Parliament president Josep Borrell foreign minister. When Sanchez presented his cabinet on Wednesday evening he said it was "a reflection of the best in society" -- a society he described as composed of women and men, old and young, rooted in the European Union. But as a minority government, it will have a tough time governing Spain, relying as it will on the votes of far-left party Podemos as well as Basque and Catalan nationalist lawmakers who supported his no-confidence motion. Each new minister vowed to "faithfully fulfil the duties of minister... with loyalty to the king" at a ceremony at the Zarzuela Palace near Madrid. Former judges, prosecutors The new executive includes two veteran Socialists -- Carmen Calvo, vice-president, and Borrell. Calvo, who was culture minister from 2004 to 2007, will also be in charge of equality, a priority for Sanchez's government in a country where women staged an unprecedented strike to defend their rights on March 8. Anti-terror prosecutor Dolores Delgado became justice minister, former Supreme Court judge Margarita Robles defence minister, and other women have been put in charge of education, employment or health. Fernando Grande-Marlaska, an openly gay former judge at Spain's top-level National Court, where he took on cases against Basque separatist group ETA, heads up the interior ministry. Women also lead the economic team of Sanchez's government, whose "main priority" will be to respect Madrid's deficit reduction commitments to the EU, the new prime minister has said. Spain has promised to reduce its deficit to 2.2 per cent of GDP in 2018, thus finally going under the three per cent limit set by Brussels. Calvino, the new economy minister, has 12 years of experience in high-level postings in Brussels. Maria Jesus Montero, meanwhile, became budget minister after playing a similar role at a regional level in southern Andalusia. In the name of maintaining "stability," Sanchez has also promised to implement the 2018 budget crafted by the previous conservative government. Among the budget's key measures are a one to three per cent rise in the lowest pensions and a salary increase for civil servants, ahead of municipal, regional and European elections next year. Catalans, astronaut, author Sanchez's new team also includes a minister in charge of science, innovation and universities. And the man to take that role is Spain's first astronaut Pedro Duque. As Brexit gathers pace, and with Italy now led by a eurosceptic, populist government, Spain's new executive is distinctly pro-EU. Apart from Calvino's appointment as an economy minister -- a move welcome by the EU Commission -- Borrell was European parliament president between 2004 and 2007. A Catalan who is fiercely against the independence movement in his home region, Borrell will be tasked with defending his government's commitment to Spanish unity abroad. He has said the previous conservative government was "very bad" when it came to public relations abroad on the Catalan separatist issue. On a day-to-day basis, Meritxell Batet, another Catalan, has been put in charge of relations with Spain's regions. As such, she will have the prickly task of trying to ease the situation in her own deeply divided home region. Finally, Maxim Huerta, an award-winning author, became culture minister.

Spain swears in new cabinet with record number of women

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