(07/17/10) -

Spanish Opposition PP Holds Clear Lead

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Spain’s conservative Popular Party (PP) has widened its lead over the governing Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), according to a poll by NC Report published in La Razón. 45.2 per cent of respondents would vote for the PP in the next legislative election, up 1.6 points since March.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Spain’s conservative Popular Party (PP) has widened its lead over the governing Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE), according to a poll by NC Report published in La Razón. 45.2 per cent of respondents would vote for the PP in the next legislative election, up 1.6 points since March.

The PSOE is second with 35.8 per cent. 19 per cent of respondents would vote for other parties.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was sworn in as President of the Government in April 2004, following his party’s victory in the legislative ballot. The conservative 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.

Since late 2007, defaults on so-called subprime mortgages—credit given to high-risk borrowers—in the United States have caused volatility in domestic and global financial markets and pushed the U.S. economy into a recession. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. The crisis has affected the global financial and credit systems.

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 is hovering around the 20 per cent mark.

Earlier this month, Zapatero’s government announced a massive austerity plan, which has been regarded as one of the harshest in Europe. Rajoy called for him to step down, saying, "You’re not fit to govern. The best service you can therefore do for your country to cut short this ordeal is to dissolve parliament and call a general election."

An election is not due to take place in Spain until March 2012.

Polling Data

Which party would you vote for in the next general election?