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The Spanish Elections

The Spanish general Elections were held on Sunday 9th March 2008. José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was re-elected and has promised a new era in Spanish politicis. Zapatero’s party, the PSOE won 169 seat – five more than last year, but short of an absolute majority. The main opposition, the PP, headed by Mariano Rajoy won 153 seats. Political commentators anticipate the PSOE will enter an informal coalition, most likely with the largest Catalan nationalist party. At what was markedly akin to a fervent US election rally, Zapatero beamed at hoardes of flag waving PSOE supporters who gathered outside the party’s Madrid headquarters. “The Spanish people have spoen clearly and have decided to open a new peiod without tension, without confrontation” said the Prime Minisiter.

Turnout was good with 75.3% of the voting public making it to the pools. The year, the main parties debated on live national television for the first time in 15 years adding significantly more gravity to the affair.