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Spain to vote in general election Spanish vote in general election
(about 3 hours later)
Polls are set to open in Spain as the country's 35m eligible voters decide whether to return the ruling Socialists to power for another four years. Polls have opened in Spain as the country's 35 million eligible voters decide whether to return the ruling Socialists to power.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's party faces Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party.Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's party faces Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party.
The faltering economy, rising inflation and unemployment, and immigration were all high-profile campaign issues. The faltering economy, rising inflation and unemployment, and immigration have all been high-profile campaign issues.
The election has been marred by Friday's killing of a former Socialist councillor in the Basque Country.The election has been marred by Friday's killing of a former Socialist councillor in the Basque Country.
The shooting, which has been blamed on Basque separatists by police but which no one has so far admitted, brought election campaigning to an early close. The shooting, which has been blamed on Basque separatists by police, but which no-one has so far admitted, brought election campaigning to an early close.
Boom endsBoom ends
Polling stations open at 0900 (0800 GMT) and close at 2000, with the results expected on Sunday night. Polling stations opened at 0900 on Sunday and close at 2000 (0800 - 1900 GMT).
The daughter of the slain ex-councillor called for a large turnoutThe daughter of the slain ex-councillor called for a large turnout
Key issues include the economy, stuttering after a decade of good growth. Inflation is at a 10-year high and unemployment at an eight-year high.Key issues include the economy, stuttering after a decade of good growth. Inflation is at a 10-year high and unemployment at an eight-year high.
The Spanish housing boom is dwindling, exacerbated by the global credit crunch.The Spanish housing boom is dwindling, exacerbated by the global credit crunch.
The conservative opposition Popular Party has also focused on immigration, a bigger issue than in previous polls.The conservative opposition Popular Party has also focused on immigration, a bigger issue than in previous polls.
The Socialists, meanwhile, have highlighted the liberal reforms of their time in office, including the introduction of a gender-equality law, fast-track divorces and same-sex marriage.The Socialists, meanwhile, have highlighted the liberal reforms of their time in office, including the introduction of a gender-equality law, fast-track divorces and same-sex marriage.
Voters will elect 350 members of the Cortes, or lower house of parliament, and 208 members of the 264-member upper house, the Senate.Voters will elect 350 members of the Cortes, or lower house of parliament, and 208 members of the 264-member upper house, the Senate.
The remaining 56 Senate seats are decided by indirect election by assemblies in Spain's 17 autonomous regions.The remaining 56 Senate seats are decided by indirect election by assemblies in Spain's 17 autonomous regions.
Smaller parties, such as the United Left Party, and Catalan and Basque nationalist parties may hold the balance of power if the race is close.Smaller parties, such as the United Left Party, and Catalan and Basque nationalist parties may hold the balance of power if the race is close.
Appeal to votersAppeal to voters
Hundreds of mourners gathered in the small Basque town of Mondragon on Saturday, to pay their respects to Isaias Carrasco, the 42-year-old councillor shot dead on Friday.Hundreds of mourners gathered in the small Basque town of Mondragon on Saturday, to pay their respects to Isaias Carrasco, the 42-year-old councillor shot dead on Friday.
"I call on those who want to show solidarity with my father and with our pain to vote en masse Sunday and tell the murderers that we are not going to take a single step backward," urged his 20-year-old daughter Sandra."I call on those who want to show solidarity with my father and with our pain to vote en masse Sunday and tell the murderers that we are not going to take a single step backward," urged his 20-year-old daughter Sandra.
Analysts say turnout may be a major factor in Sunday's result.Analysts say turnout may be a major factor in Sunday's result.
Historically, the PP has had a more solid core vote, and a higher turnout has tended to benefit the Socialists.Historically, the PP has had a more solid core vote, and a higher turnout has tended to benefit the Socialists.