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Spain votes in national elections Spain exit polls favour Zapatero
(about 2 hours later)
Spain's 35 million voters are deciding whether to return the ruling Socialists to power in general elections. The governing Socialist party of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has won Spain's general elections, exit polls suggest.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's party faces Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP). It was not clear whether his party, which is chasing a second term in power, had secured the 176 seats needed for an absolute parliamentary majority.
At 1800 (1700 GMT), turnout was around 61%, only slightly lower than at the corresponding time during 2004's polls. Mr Zapatero was opposed by Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party.
The elections have been marred by Friday's killing of the former Socialist councillor, Isaias Carrasco, in the Basque Country. The elections were 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.
Boom endsBoom ends
Polling stations are due to close at 2000 (1900 GMT). Exit polls on three Spanish TV stations gave the Socialist Party between 163 and 176 seats in the 350-member parliament, and the conservative opposition Popular Party of Mariano Rajoy between 145 and 152.
Sunday's turnout nearly matched the level of Spain's 2004 elections
The BBC's Jonny Dymond, at Socialist party headquarters in Madrid, says activists are waiting to see how accurate the polls are - and how the vote count translates into seats.
There had been a high turn-out before polling stations closed at 2000 (1900 GMT), with official results expected within hours.
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 rivals
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.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.This time, the faltering economy, rising inflation and unemployment, and immigration have all been high-profile campaign issues.
Credit crunch
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. Mr Rajoy's conservative opposition party 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, 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 voters Spain's 35 million voters were electing 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.
"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.