(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The majority of people in Spain do not think that foreign residents are taking away jobs from Spaniards, according to a poll by Sigma Dos published in El Mundo. 60 per cent of respondents agree with this view, while 37 per cent do believe that foreigners are affecting the livelihoods of Spaniards.

José Luis Rodríguez 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 December 2004, the government approved the regularization law. More than 690,000 foreign residents filed their paperwork to remain in Spain legally.

In March, 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.

On Aug. 8, the Spanish government admitted that the number of immigrants coming to Spain to seek work has declined this year due to the country’s economic difficulties. Consuelo Rumi, secretary of state for immigration, declared: "There is [now] less chance of finding work, both legal and illegal."

Polling Data

Do you think foreigners take away jobs from Spaniards?

Source: Sigma Dos / El Mundo
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted in August 2008. Margin of error is 3.16 per cent.

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