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Spain votes in national elections Spain votes in national elections
(about 3 hours later)
Spain's 35 million voters are deciding whether to return the ruling Socialists to power in general elections.Spain's 35 million voters are deciding whether to return the ruling Socialists to power in general elections.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's party faces Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP).Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's party faces Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP).
By 1300 GMT, after five hours of voting, turnout was slightly less than 40%, Spain's Interior Ministry said. At 1800 (1700 GMT), turnout was around 61%, only slightly lower than at the corresponding time during 2004's polls.
The polls have been marred by Friday's killing of the former Socialist councillor, Isaias Carrasco, in the Basque Country. The elections have been marred by Friday's killing of the former Socialist councillor, Isaias Carrasco, in the Basque Country.
Police have blamed Basque separatists for the shooting, which brought election campaigning to an early close, but so far no group has claimed responsibility.Police have blamed Basque separatists for the shooting, which brought election campaigning to an early close, but so far no group has claimed responsibility.
The latest turnout figure is about two points lower than at the same point in the 2004 poll.
Boom endsBoom ends
With polling stations due to close at 2000 (1900 GMT) on Sunday, analysts suggest a low turnout may indicate a close election result. Polling stations due to close at 2000 (1900 GMT).
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.
Mr Zapatero, left, and Mr Rajoy are the main rivalsMr Zapatero, left, and Mr Rajoy are the main rivals
The faltering economy, rising inflation and unemployment, and immigration have all been high-profile campaign issues. In 2004, voters turned out in high numbers - galvanised by the Madrid train bombings that killed 191 people three days earlier - to give Mr Zapatero a surprise victory over Mr Rajoy's conservative government.
This time, the faltering economy, rising inflation and unemployment, and immigration have all been high-profile campaign issues.
After a decade of good growth, Spain's economy is stuttering. Inflation is at a 10-year high and unemployment is the highest this century.After a decade of good growth, Spain's economy is stuttering. Inflation is at a 10-year high and unemployment is the highest this century.
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 PP has also focused on immigration, a bigger issue than in previous polls.The conservative opposition PP 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.
Appeal to votersAppeal to voters
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.
Hundreds of mourners gathered in the small Basque town of Mondragon on Saturday, to pay their respects to 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 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 Mr Carrasco's 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 Mr Carrasco's 20-year-old daughter, Sandra.