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Election Date: March 14, 2004

At stake: Congress of Deputies, Senate

Background

On Jan. 9, government spokesperson Eduardo Zaplana announced Mar. 14 as the date for Spain's general election. The campaign officially kicked off on Feb. 11. The European country had held eight elections since the restoration of democracy after the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

Spanish president José María Aznar did not seek a third mandate. First vice-president and government speaker Mariano Rajoy was chosen as the new leader of the conservative Partido Popular (PP—Popular Party) in August 2003. The 48-year-old native of Galicia had also served in the ministries of public administration, interior, education and culture.

The PP administered Spain since 1996, when Aznar formed a coalition government that brought an end to the 13-year tenure of the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE—Socialist Workers' Party) under Felipe González. In 2000, voters rewarded Aznar with his first majority. The ruling party achieved impressive economic results, but unemployment in the European nation remained at 11.2 per cent at the start of 2004.

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero led the opposition PSOE into the election. Zapatero's popularity grew in early 2003 when Spaniards became fed up with their government's handling of the Prestige oil spill and their president's backing of the war in Iraq.

The last few months brought a new challenge to Spain's unity, as the government of the Basque Country openly demanded more autonomy. Terrorism was also at the top of the agenda. The attacks by separatist group Basque Motherland and Liberty (ETA) have become a recurrent problem. Aznar's government reached a temporary truce with ETA, but the organization resurfaced in early 2000.

A January poll by Instituto Noxa published in La Vanguardia suggested the ruling PP could achieve a majority government with 174 seats, followed by the PSOE with 137 lawmakers.

The question of how to deal with terrorism came back to the spotlight after a high-ranking member of a regional government established unofficial contact with the Basque separatist organization.

Josep Lluís Carod-Rovira—president of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC—Republican Left of Catalonia)—acknowledged having met with ETA members in early January. The ERC had just formed a coalition government with the PSOE's Catalan wing, the Partit dels Socialistes de Catalunya (PSC—Socialist Party of Catalonia). Carod-Rovira left his post as Catalonia's deputy president, but remained in cabinet as a minister without portfolio.

The PP has advocated for a zero tolerance policy regarding ETA, and refuses to enter any negotiations or agreements with the armed group under the current conditions.

The two main contenders presented their platforms and slogans in February. The PP's campaign, at an estimated cost of $16.1 million U.S., was based on the phrase "Together, we can achieve more." Rajoy promised changes to environmental laws, as well as a plan to stop domestic violence.

The PSOE's promotional budget was tabled at $8.8 million U.S. Zapatero offered to create a parliamentary committee with members of all political parties to develop a unified strategy against ETA violence.

In a February poll by Sigma Dos released by Antena 3 TV, the PP had an 8.1 per cent lead in voting intention over the PSOE, with the remaining political forces in single digits.

On Feb. 18, ETA announced the suspension of activities by their armed commandos in Catalonia, citing "honest solidarity" with the region's "forces of independence." The announcement of a strictly geographical truce was met with dismay by the country's elected leaders, including Aznar and Basque president Juan José Ibarretxe. Zapatero requested "immediate political action" from Catalonia's government.

The opposition PSOE challenged Rajoy to a televised debate, vowing to donate 50 per cent of its campaign funds to a non-governmental organization if the public meeting took place. In the 2000 electoral race, Aznar declined an offer to debate with then PSOE leader Joaquín Almunia. In a February poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser, 77.2 per cent of respondents said there should be a televised debate between the top candidates.

On Feb. 29, law enforcement authorities detained two ETA members who were allegedly planning a large-scale attack in Madrid, with more than 500 kilograms of explosives. On Mar. 1, president Aznar criticized PSOE leader Zapatero for his pact with ERC, whose head Carod-Rovira met with members of the separatist group in January.

On Mar. 5, Rajoy pleaded for the vote of "the socialists who do not want to form a government with Carod-Rovira." On Mar. 6, Zapatero chided Rajoy for his unwillingness to participate in a direct televised debate, claiming a candidate "who lacks courage" should not become president of the government.

Polls conducted by Instituto Opina, Sigma Dos, CIS, TNS-Demoscopia and Celeste-Tel released in early March suggested a third consecutive mandate for the PP, and possibly a second straight majority government.

On Mar. 11, just three days before Spaniards all over the country were to head to the polls, a series of explosions in one of Madrid's main railway stations, as well as three commuter trains, killed 190 people in the capital. The Spanish government originally blamed the assailment—the deadliest in the country's history—on ETA.

PP leader Rajoy claimed that the electoral campaign was "over," and stated that with the Basque separatists "no deal or truce can be achieved." PSOE leader Zapatero offered his help and support to the government, and called for "democratic unity" against terrorism.

The leaders of every political party all condemned the attack. Arnaldo Otegi, spokesman for outlawed political party Herri Batasuna—considered as ETA's political wing—hinted at the possible participation of "Arab resistance" groups.

On Mar. 12, Spanish authorities explored the theory of possible involvement from other organizations not directly related to ETA, after a group with links to the al-Qaeda network claimed responsibility for the attacks in an e-mail sent to a London-based Arabic newspaper. A man allegedly representing ETA denied any role in the blasts during two separate telephone calls made to a Basque broadcaster and a Basque newspaper.

President Aznar stated that "no fanatical minority" would stop Spaniards from voting in the election. More than 11 million people took to the streets in public demonstrations all over the country.

On Mar. 13, hundreds of people gathered outside the PP headquarters in Madrid, accusing the government of covering up the investigation. Interior minister Angel Acebes announced the arrest of five suspects in connection with the attacks, none of whom were directly or indirectly related to ETA. A video purportedly showing an al-Qaeda member claiming responsibility was also found.

Voting went on without any major incidents on Mar. 14. The final results will allow the PSOE to form the next government, placing 164 lawmakers in the Congress of Deputies, a 38-seat improvement from the last election. The PP elected 148 legislators, 35 less than in 2000.

PP leader Rajoy conceded defeat in a joint press conference with president Aznar and first vice-president Rodrigo Rato, claiming the political organization leaves the government "with clean hands." PSOE leader Zapatero vowed to deliver a "calm transition."

Voter turnout was tabled at 77.21 per cent, an 8.5 per cent improvement from the 2000 general election.

Rodríguez Zapatero officially became president of the government on Apr. 16.

Political Players

King: Juan Carlos I
President of the Government: José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (PSOE)

Legislative Branch: The Cortes Generales (General Courts) have two chambers. The Congreso de los Diputados (Congress of Deputies) has 350 members, elected to four-year terms by proportional representation in each province. The Senado (Senate) has 248 members; 208 members are elected to four-year terms in four-member constituencies and 40 members are designated by the regional legislatures.

Results of Last Election:

Congress of Deputies - Mar. 14, 2004

Senate - Mar. 14, 2004

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