Spain's PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero clearly beat his conservative rival in their second and final pre-election TV debate, Spanish opinion polls show.
Spain's PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero clearly beat his conservative rival in their second and final pre-election TV debate, Spanish opinion polls show.
The Socialist leader came top in four opinion polls after the debate on Monday evening, watched by 11.7 million people ahead of the 9 March election.
The Socialist leader came top in four opinion polls after the debate on Monday evening, watched by 11.7 million people ahead of the 9 March election.
A poll for the TV station Cuatro gave Mr Zapatero 50.8%, against 29% for Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy.
A poll for the TV station Cuatro gave Mr Zapatero 50.8%, against 29% for Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy.
They called each other liars in angry exchanges on the economy and terrorism.
They called each other liars in angry exchanges on the economy and terrorism.
A poll for La Sexta television put Mr Zapatero on 49.2% and his rival on 29.8%, with 21% calling it a draw.
A poll for La Sexta television put Mr Zapatero on 49.2% and his rival on 29.8%, with 21% calling it a draw.
Mr Rajoy accused the government of weakness on the issue of immigration.
Mr Rajoy accused the government of weakness on the issue of immigration.
But the contribution of immigrants to Spanish society was defended by Mr Zapatero.
But the contribution of immigrants to Spanish society was defended by Mr Zapatero.
The most recent opinion polls before Monday gave Mr Zapatero's Socialists a lead of about 4% over the conservative PP.
The most recent opinion polls before Monday gave Mr Zapatero's Socialists a lead of about 4% over the conservative PP.
New electoral territory
New electoral territory
Mr Rajoy chose immigration as his main line of attack, the BBC's Steve Kingstone reports from Madrid.
Mr Rajoy chose immigration as his main line of attack, the BBC's Steve Kingstone reports from Madrid.
"Uncontrolled immigration is a danger," he said. "And some Spaniards may feel that they are negatively affected - when they try to access to healthcare or housing, or find a place in school for their children. Your policy has been weak."
"Uncontrolled immigration is a danger," he said. "And some Spaniards may feel that they are negatively affected - when they try to access to healthcare or housing, or find a place in school for their children. Your policy has been weak."
In response, Mr Zapatero pointed to partnership agreements with African governments that had helped reduce the flow of illegal immigrants.
In response, Mr Zapatero pointed to partnership agreements with African governments that had helped reduce the flow of illegal immigrants.
And he explained that foreigners residing legally in Spain were net contributors to social security and had helped stimulate the economy.
And he explained that foreigners residing legally in Spain were net contributors to social security and had helped stimulate the economy.
Spain accounts for well over a third of all net immigration into the European Union.
Spain accounts for well over a third of all net immigration into the European Union.
But by focusing on the issue in such stark terms, Mr Rajoy is taking Spain into new electoral territory, our correspondent says. His hope is that Spaniards already coping with rising food prices and unemployment may quietly agree that too many foreigners are not helping the situation.
But by focusing on the issue in such stark terms, Mr Rajoy is taking Spain into new electoral territory, our correspondent says. His hope is that Spaniards already coping with rising food prices and unemployment may quietly agree that too many foreigners are not helping the situation.
That has enabled the government to accuse Mr Rajoy of xenophobia.
That has enabled the government to accuse Mr Rajoy of xenophobia.
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