Spain’s ruling socialists and leftwing alliance sign coalition deal

Two parties vow labour reforms in effort so shore up support, but they still need Catalan separatists’ backing to form government

Spain’s ruling socialists and their partners in the leftwing Sumar alliance have pledged to reduce the working week, raise the minimum wage and increase parental leave as part of an agreement designed to win support for a new coalition government.

Spain’s conservative People’s party (PP) narrowly beat the socialists, led by the acting prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, in July’s inconclusive general election, but it has failed to attract the necessary backing to form a government.