Spain's Socialist house speaker candidate wins support from Catalan groups

The Spanish Parliament building is seen at night in central Madrid, Spain, March 2, 2016. REUTERS/Sergio Perez/File Photo

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Socialist party on Thursday won support from Catalan separatist parties in parliament's lower house for its candidate to be speaker, a development that could lead to its first victory in the quest to form a new government.

After an inconclusive election on July 23, newly elected legislators were assembling on Thursday to pick the speaker in a vote. The centre-left Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) of acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has proposed Francina Armengol for the job.