Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Socialists Hold Five-Point Advantage in Spain

March 07, 2006
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Socialist Worker's Party (PSOE) remains the most popular political organization in Spain, according to a poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser. 45 per cent of respondents would support the PSOE in the next general election, while 40 per cent would vote for the opposition conservative Popular Party (PP).

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - The Socialist Worker's Party (PSOE) remains the most popular political organization in Spain, according to a poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser. 45 per cent of respondents would support the PSOE in the next general election, while 40 per cent would vote for the opposition conservative Popular Party (PP).

The PSOE's José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was sworn in as president in April 2004, following his party's victory in the legislative ballot. The PP had administered the government under José María Aznar since 1996.

The coalition of United Left (IU) and Initiative for Catalonia-Greens (IC-V) is third with five per cent, followed by three regional parties: Catalonia's Convergence and Union (CiU), the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). Support for the PSOE increased by three points since mid-February, while backing for the PP went up by one point.

Last week, the PP held its annual convention. PP leader Mariano Rajoy offered the current government his help "in order to stop mistakes that will be difficult to counter in the future." Asked to comment on the PP's meeting, Zapatero called it "an exhibition of old policies and old falsehoods."

Polling Data

What party would you support in the next general election?

Mar. 2

Feb. 16

Feb. 2

Socialist Worker's Party (PSOE)

45%

42%

41%

Popular Party (PP)

40%

39%

40%

United Left (IU) /
Initiative for Catalonia-Greens (IC-V)

5%

4%

4.5%

Convergence and Union (CiU)

2.5%

3%

4%

Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC)

2%

2%

1.5%

Basque Nationalist Party (PNV)

1.4%

1.4%

1%

Source: Instituto Opina / Cadena Ser
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted on Mar. 2, 2006. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.