Source: AFP Socialists claim Spanish victory March 15, 2004 SPAIN'S opposition Socialist Party today claimed victory in the nation's general election and said it was in a position to form a government. An official count of 77 per cent of the ballots showed the opposition Socialists (PSOE) with a clear lead. The ruling Popular Party (PP) had 37.1 per cent of the vote and the Socialists 43.1 per cent, the interior ministry said. The turnout stood at 77 per cent.