New Spanish Government

Sky News ^ | 3/14/2003 | Sky News Staff

[Grampa Dave]

NEW SPANISH GOVERNMENT

The bombs in Madrid have cost the Spanish government its hold on power - they have conceded defeat to opposition Socialists in the general elections.

The government of Jose Maria Aznar was judged on its response to the atrocity, in which 200 people died, and its support for the war in Iraq.

Speaking after the victory, Socialist leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said his priority is to combat terrorism.

Official results from Spain's general elections show the opposition Socialist Party leading the ruling Popular Party by 43.1% to 37.1%.

The figures are based on results after 77% of the votes were counted, Reuters news agency reported.

According to figures, more than 62% of voters turned out for the elections - over seven percent more than the number in the last elections four years ago.

Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and his appointed successor, Mariano Rajoy, cast their ballots.

Mr Aznar, who is retiring, stepped into a Madrid polling station with his tearful wife Ana Botella.

Protesters demonstrate against ruling party

As they left, Mr Aznar tried to make a declaration but was drowned out by cries of support from supporters and shouts of "manipulator" from opponents.

Elsewhere in the city, Rajoy faced similar cries from detractors, many of them youths, who yelled "Liar" and "You fascists are terrorists".

The accusation stemmed from confusion over who was behind Thursday's blasts which killed 200 people and wounded 1,500.

The government initially blamed the Basque separatist group Eta but a video claiming the attacks in the name of al-Qaeda has now emerged.

The video, which was being authenticated, said the bombings had been punishment for Spain's support of the US occupation of Iraq.

Up to 7,000 demonstrators took to the streets on Saturday and accused the Popular Party (PP) of lying about who was responsible.

The Spanish electoral commission said it had filed a lawsuit on behalf of the party claiming that the protests constituted a bid to influence voters on the eve of the election.

Eta has repeated its denial of responsibility for the attacks.

[Grampa Dave]

This is the breaking news on Sky News.

[goldstategop]

I don't really expect much from Europe. In 20 years, it will be overrun by Islamists.

[billorites]

Well, this is getting interesting.

[ambrose]

The Spanish electoral commission said it had filed a lawsuit on behalf of the party claiming that the protests constituted a bid to influence voters on the eve of the election.

Ooops. That will be a 1000 Euro fine.

[cebadams]

Speaking after the victory, Socialist leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said his priority is to combat terrorism.

Will be interesting to see what this means.

[ambrose]

Did they get an absolute majority of seats? If not, it might be an unstable coalition that could collapse on a moment's notice.

[ambrose]

Will be interesting to see what this means.

It means going back to being isolationists again.

[KantianBurke]

surrender

[js1138]

Are we going to see a Nixon in China moment. The mandate is to protect the nation. I suppose the firs take on that would be appeasement, but we are not dealing witha mafia that takes bribes and stays bought. If the Spanish socialists don't take credible steps to defeat the terrorists, they will lose more than just the next election.

[clintonh8r]

...Zapatero said his priority is to fight terrorism.

We'll see....we'll see.

[Lion in Winter]

His idea of fighting terrorists is to get them to give him the list of their demands and then to GIVE them EXACTLY what they want.

[monkeywrench]

I think it means placing further restrictions on the civil liberties of the people. The media over there had their collective finger to the wind the day after the train attack, wondering if people would submit.

[Grampa Dave]

This was expected in France or Germany, but I am surprised that it happened in Spain.

Italy will be next to be attacked.

[Grampa Dave]

Interesting and depressing when a few Islamofascist mass murderers can sway an election.

[Grampa Dave]

Scary stuff.

[livius]

They didn't get an absolute majority, but they will probably have enough to be able to go in with IU (Izquierda Unida - or United Left), so the pact will probably be pretty stable and the left will be fully in control. IU is, essentially, the Communist Party of Spain.

[Former Fetus]

According to the Spanish nespaper "El Mundo", with 98.82% of votes counted, the socialist have 42.65% of the votes while the center party (PP) has 37.65%. It seems we just lost one of our best allies in the war against terror. Also, like someone else mentioned in this thread, no party has a majority so there will be a lot of wheeling and dealing, coalition making... that will make the new government unstable. I just hope the American people learn from the Spanish mistake and vote Republican in November!

[billorites]

"Interesting and depressing when a few Islamofascist mass murderers can sway an election."

So, whether they swayed the election or not, they'll be emboldened to try again.