SPAIN'S opposition Socialists said they would call a symbolic vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy if he refused to appear before Parliament to answer questions about a scandal over party financing.

Mr Rajoy's ruling People's Party has an absolute majority in Parliament and unless there were significant defections from his party, he would survive the vote.

But a motion of no-confidence, which has been used only twice since the death of dictator General Francisco Franco in 1975, would involve him or a representative appearing in Parliament to defend his actions.

Until recently, Mr Rajoy had managed to limit the impact of the scandal, which involves alleged illegal donations by construction magnates that were supposedly distributed as cash payments to party leaders in return for juicy contracts.

Facing growing pressure within the PP over the case, he said he would apply his political programme.

But pressure from other groups is mounting. "I know I don't have enough seats (to win a no-confidence vote) but I want him to appear before this chamber," Socialist leader Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said.

Yesterday, the PP rejected calls for Mr Rajoy to appear for questioning in the Senate. The committee is due to discuss Mr Rajoy's possible appearance before the lower house. Depending on the results of the talks, the Socialists will then move forward with their threat.