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Spain's PM Tells Church to Get Out of Election

Posted Feb 14, 08 11:53 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is meeting today with a Vatican representative to protest the Catholic Church's call for voters to oust his Socialist party in the March 9 general election. Zapatero was infuriated by bishops' publication of "moral guidance," calling on parishioners to vote out the government and effectively endorsing the conservative opposition, the Times of London reports.

Zapatero's government has moved to legalize gay marriage, relax laws on divorce, and end compulsory religious education in schools—all of which have drawn the Church's ire. Bishops also castigated Zapatero for negotiating with Basque separatists after supporting an earlier conservative effort. The government responded that the bishops want a return to Franco's fascist era—which the Church strongly supported.

Source Times (UK)

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Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero gives his speech at a pre-electoral party rally in Madrid, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Spain goes to the polls next March 9. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)   (Associated Press)
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero gestures on his arrival at a pre-electoral party rally in Madrid, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Spain goes to the polls on March 9. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa...   (Associated Press)
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero gestures during a Spanish Socialist Party rally in the Basque city of San Sebastian, Spain, on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. Spain's general elections are...   (Associated Press)
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero gives his speech at a pre electoral party rally in Madrid, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Spain goes to the polls on March 9. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)   (Associated Press)
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Catholic Church  • divorce  • Spain  • Vatican  • Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero  • Spanish elections  • Basque separatists  • Francisco Franco


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