Posted on 03/09/2008 7:03:31 PM PDT by Eric Blair 2084
Spain’s governing Socialists triumphed in elections on Sunday, giving Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero a fresh mandate to pursue his agenda of sweeping social, cultural and political liberalization.
Despite a bitterly fought campaign, the outcome seemed to endorse some of Mr. Zapatero’s boldest decisions, including the withdrawal of Spain’s troops from Iraq, the granting of more autonomy to Spain’s rebellious regions, simplified divorce and the legalization of homosexual marriage.
“I will govern by continuing with the things that we’ve done well and correcting mistakes,” Mr. Zapatero said in accepting victory outside his party headquarters. He added, “I will govern for all, but thinking above all of those people who do not have everything.”
In particular, Mr. Zapatero said he would work to fulfill the aspirations of women and young people and provide more support for the elderly.
With more than 99 percent of the ballots counted, Mr. Zapatero’s party won 43.7 percent of the vote, and the conservative Popular Party 40.1 percent, according to the Interior Ministry. Turnout was high — an estimated 75.4 percent of the country’s 35 million eligible voters — only a shade below the 75.7 percent turnout in 2004.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
NY Times: Zapatero: Spain’s Bold Liberal
Tall, thin and well-dressed, Mr. Zapatero has a calm, friendly manner and deep, sonorous voice that offset his image as wide-eyed and awkward.
He was the accidental prime minister, an unproven Socialist contender swept into power by a surge of public rage about the way Spain’s conservative government handled the terrorist bombings of March 11, 2004.
But far from governing with temerity, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, 47, seized the narrow mandate he won at the polls four years ago to propel a country once gripped by religious conservatism into the liberal vanguard of Europe.
““Collectivism is a doctrine of war, intolerance, and persecution. If any of the collectivist creeds should succeed in its endeavors, all people but the great dictator would be deprived of their essential human quality. They would become mere soulless pawns in the hands of a monster.” Ludwig Von Mises
Validated as accurate by just two words: North Korea.
It's not sharing if the government makes you do it. It only counts to God, who reads hearts, if you want to share to honor Him, and you make the personal effort to do it.
43.7% of the vote? Parliamentary democracy is a joke, it means that 56% voted against and this ass still got in. But it’s ok, Hitler became chancellor of Germany with a mere 38%.
Eyewitness report?
Looks like those 3rd, 4th, and 5th party candidates sucked 16% of votes that might have incrementally moved the country in a different direction. If there were something to be learned here for our election this might be a consideration, but for us it’s between 3 democrats now.
That’s excellent.
“But far from governing with temerity, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, 47, seized the narrow mandate he won at the polls four years ago to propel a country once gripped by religious conservatism into the liberal vanguard of Europe.
“
God and they say it as if it’s a good thing. I could also say that Robert Mugabe propelled Zimbabwe, a country once gripped by conservative prosperity into the vanguard economic depravity of Africa.
The Socialist Party has just beaten the People’s Party. Ho-hum.
I agree.
Socialism is brilliant in practice too. Everyone is equal. Equally miserable.
No it means 56% voted for something else. They didnt neccesarily vote AGAINST him.
The real problem with representative democracy is that you tend to end up with governments that people put up with, rather than wildly support.
the socialists were re-elected in Spain and if Obama wins he’d also be re-elected. Don’t assume the conservatives will find another reagan after 4 years
Well. It really only lasted a 76 year cycle from 1789-1865.
And the euro trash tell us europe is a better place to live than America. Yeah, right!
They have made NO progress in stopping the Islamist slow but steady take over of their homelands. I pity the few stand up people in europe.
I tend to think it's very difficult for Americans to understand Europe. Historically, in Catholic Europe, whatever social-economic level you're born into is where you will probably spend the rest of your life. Since there's very little hope, socialism is the only answer for the masses. The United Kingdom and America WERE successful rebellions to this type of societal control but I tend to think the powers that be in both countries are making the same mistake as "Old Catholic Europe". So I tend to think the trend in Western society will be towards socialism for the near future. However, at a personal level, I could not have afforded to raise a family in America so I'm very humbled and grateful to controling Catholic European socialism for giving me this "opiate" of human existence.
Spanish still running scared that the Islumic murderers will blow up another train. Cowards. Run in fear. Refuse to fight back. Spineless.
Vote for me I'll give you everything!
No wonder he won. I hope Hillary and Obama didn't see this.
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