Sánchez says he will call Catalan president Torra

Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez said on Wednesday evening that he will call Catalan president Quim Torra after being greenlighted as presidential candidate by King Felipe VI of Spain.

The king's proposal was made public following his round of talks with party leaders and announced by congress speaker Meritxell Batet after meeting with the monarch at the Zarzuela Palace.

When exactly a congressional vote on Sanchez's presidency will take place, however, is not yet clear as it hinges upon ongoing negotiations between the Socialists and pro-independence Esquerra Republicana as his party did not obtain an absolute majority in the snap general election on November 10.

Ongoing talks between Socialists and pro-independence ERC

Both political forces have met three times in the past month to seek a deal, but while both sides say there has been "progression" in the talks, no conclusion has been reached yet.