Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez invited to try to form government in Spain

Acting prime minister has until 27 November to put candidacy before MPs after conservative rival's failure to take office

Spain's acting prime minister, the socialist leader Pedro Sanchez, has been invited to try to form a government two months after July's inconclusive snap general election, and four days after the leader of the conservative People's party (PP) failed in his bid to take office.

King Felipe on Tuesday formally nominated Sanchez to attempt to secure congress's backing to form a new coalition administration with the leftwing Sumar alliance.