Small Leftist Parties in Spain Unite Before July Election in Pact That Could Help Snchez

MADRID (AP) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Snchezs chances of getting reelected after a July election have received a potentially important boost following an agreement between more than a dozen small leftist parties to run on a joint ticket, a deal that is expected to provide key support for Snchez's Socialists in any post-election negotiations to form government.

The deal signed late Friday ended days of intense negotiations and was sealed at the last moment with an agreement between Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Dazs newly formed alliance, Sumar, and the Socialists small but influential far-left coalition partner, United We Can, or Podemos.

Podemos and 14 other groups would form part of the Sumar alliance for the election, Sumar said.

Sumar, which means to add or unite in Spanish, was to be officially registered later Friday as a political group to compete in the election.