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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
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| Socialists win Spanish elections | Socialists win Spanish elections |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's ruling Socialist Party has won Spain's general elections, with the conservative Popular Party (PP) admitting defeat. | |
| 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 75% of votes counted, the Socialists were projected to win 168 seats to 154 for Mariano Rajoy's PP. | With 75% 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." | 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". | 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". |
| Conceding defeat, Pio Garcia Escudero, the PP's campaign coordinator said: "I'd like to congratulate the Socialists. If these preliminary votes are confirmed this is a clear victory for the Socialist party." | Conceding defeat, Pio Garcia Escudero, the PP's campaign coordinator said: "I'd like to congratulate the Socialists. If these preliminary votes are confirmed this is a clear victory for the Socialist party." |
| But correspondents say the result may force the Socialist party to re-forge an uncomfortable alliance with smaller regional nationalist parties. | But correspondents say the result may force the Socialist 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. |
| Mr Zapatero's campaign was based on his strong economic record | Mr Zapatero's campaign was based on his strong economic record |
| 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. |