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Spanish socialists claim victory | Spanish socialists claim victory |
(20 minutes later) | |
The governing Socialist Party of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has claimed victory over the conservative Popular Party in Spain's general elections. | The governing Socialist Party of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has claimed victory over the conservative Popular Party in Spain's general elections. |
It remains unclear if the Socialists have secured the 176 seats needed for an absolute parliamentary majority. | It remains unclear if the Socialists have secured the 176 seats needed for an absolute parliamentary majority. |
With two-thirds of votes counted, the Socialists were projected to win 168 seats to 154 for Mariano Rajoy's PP. | |
"We can say with confidence that the Socialist Party has won," said party secretary Jose Blanco. | "We can say with confidence that the Socialist Party has won," said party secretary Jose Blanco. |
To the cheers of euphoric government supporters wielding flags in the Socialist red and white colours outside the party's Madrid headquarters, Mr Blanco said: "It is a great victory." | |
He added that Mr Zapatero was "in a better position to govern over the next four years and begin a new period of change and progress with a Socialist government". | |
But the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Madrid says activists are waiting to see how the vote count translates into seats. | |
Correspondents say the result may force the party to re-forge an uncomfortable alliance with smaller regional nationalist parties. | |
High turnout | High turnout |
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. |
Sunday's turnout nearly matched the level of Spain's 2004 elections | |
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. |
There had been a high turn-out before polling stations closed at 2000 (1900 GMT). | There had been a high turn-out before polling stations closed 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. |
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 | 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. |
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. |