(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in Spain expect their current president of the government to seek a new term in office, according to a poll by Sigma Dos published in El Mundo. 68.5 per cent of respondents think José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will run again.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in Spain expect their current president of the government to seek a new term in office, according to a poll by Sigma Dos published in El Mundo. 68.5 per cent of respondents think José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will run again.
However, only 30.6 per cent hold positive views on Zapatero seeking a third term, while 45.6 per cent think it would be bad or very bad.
Zapatero, leader of the Socialist Worker’s Party (PSOE), was sworn in as president of the government in April 2004, following his party’s victory in the legislative ballot. The conservative Popular Party (PP) had administered the government under José María Aznar since 1996. Mariano Rajoy took over as PP leader in August 2003.
In March 2008, Spain held a general election. The PSOE secured a new term in office with 43.36 per cent of the vote and 169 seats in the lower house, followed by the PP with 39.85 per cent and 153 mandates. Zapatero retained his post as head of government.
Spain’s economy has been severely affected by the global financial downturn, as well as by its own setbacks in the domestic real estate market. The Spanish treasury has said that it could take "until 2011" for the national economy to recover from the crisis. The government has pledged a stimulus package worth close to $120 billion U.S. to help the slumping manufacturing and service sectors. The unemployment rate rose to 19.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2009.
Last month, Zapatero said he is not thinking about the next election, adding, "[The economy] is my sole worry. I would go so far as to say it is my sole obsession. Everything else right now is less important. It is not going to be an issue for debate."
The next general election is tentatively scheduled for March 2012.
Polling Data
Do you think José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero will seek a third term as president?
|
Yes |
68.5% |
|
No |
17.7% |
|
Not sure |
13.8% |
What do you think about Zapatero seeking a third term as president?
|
Good / Very good |
30.6% |
|
Indifferent |
13.3% |
|
Bad / Very bad |
45.6% |
|
Not sure |
10.5% |
Source: Sigma Dos / El Mundo
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted from Dec. 23 to Dec. 29, 2009. Margin of error is 3.16 per cent.
