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Spain exit polls favour Zapatero Spanish socialists head for win
(10 minutes later)
The governing Socialist party of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has won Spain's general elections, exit polls suggest. The governing Socialist party of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has won Spain's general elections, early exit polls and partial results suggest.
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. It was not clear whether his party had secured the 176 seats needed for an absolute parliamentary majority.
Mr Zapatero was opposed by Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party.Mr Zapatero was opposed by Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party.
Three exit polls on Spanish TV gave the Socialist Party between 163 and 176 seats in the 350-member parliament, and the Popular Party between 145 and 152.
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.
With 10% of votes counted, the Socialists were projected to win 173 seats, to the PP's 136.
Sunday's turnout nearly matched the level of Spain's 2004 elections
The elections were 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 ends There had been a high turn-out before polling stations closed 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.
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 crunchCredit 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.
Mr Rajoy's conservative opposition party 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, 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.
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.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.
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.