(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in Spain think the governing Socialist Worker’s Party (PSOE) is better equipped than the opposition to face the country’s pressing concerns, according to a poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser. At least 40 per cent of respondents think the PSOE can handle eight issues better than the Popular Party (PP).

The PSOE gets high marks on social policies, health care, housing, terrorism, education, foreign policy and climate change, while it barely leads the PP on handling the economy. The conservative opposition party is ahead of the PSOE on the topic of immigration.

PSOE leader 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.

On Feb. 6, Rajoy announced his intention to implement "an integration contract" that would commit immigrants to "respecting Spanish values." The PP leader said that, if he forms the next government, he would grant newcomers the same rights of Spaniards but would urge them to "abide by the law, learn the language and respect Spanish customs".

A general election is scheduled for Mar. 9.

Polling Data

Which of the two main parties—the Socialist Worker’s Party (PSOE) and the Popular Party (PP)—is better equipped to deal with the following issues?

Source: Instituto Opina / Cadena Ser
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted on Jan. 23, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

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