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Economy Overshadows Spanish Vote

PM in race to wire as unemployment climbs; voting is Sunday

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2008 5:06 PM CST
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(Newser) – Spain goes to the polls Sunday after a bitter campaign in which the prime minister and his rival have traded insults and accusations of lying. Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has maintained his slight lead and did well in this week's debate, but a raft of bad economic figures released yesterday has rocked the government as the race enters the home stretch, reports the Times of London.

The Spanish economy has boomed for 14 years and was the success story of the eurozone, but it has started to sputter. A deflating housing bubble, slowing growth, and rising unemployment portend a hard landing. A media blackout means that no further polls will be conducted before Sunday's vote, so it remains unclear how much the latest evidence of economic woes will hurt Zapatero.

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, left and Popular Party candidate Mariano Rajoy shake hands in the presence of Televion presenter Olga Viza before a televised election debate in Madrid, on Monday, March 3, 2008. Spain's ruling Socialists have a four-point lead over the opposition conservatives ahead of weekend...
Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, left and Popular Party candidate Mariano Rajoy shake hands in the presence of Televion presenter Olga Viza before a televised election debate in Madrid,...   (Associated Press)
Socialist supporters listens to Spain's Prime Minister and candidate Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, during an election rally in Getafe, Spain, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Spain will hold general elections on March 9. (AP Photo/Emanuele Giusto)
Socialist supporters listens to Spain's Prime Minister and candidate Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, during an election rally in Getafe, Spain, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Spain will hold general elections...   (Associated Press)
Spain's Prime Minister and Socialist candidate Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, gestures during an election rally in Getafe, near Madrid, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Spain will hold general elections on March 9. (AP Photo/Emanuele Giusto)
Spain's Prime Minister and Socialist candidate Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, gestures during an election rally in Getafe, near Madrid, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Spain will hold general elections on March...   (Associated Press)
Spain's Prime Minister and Socialist candidate Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero looks at supporters during an election rally in Getafe, near Madrid, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Spain will hold general elections on March 9. (AP Photo/Emanuele Giusto)
Spain's Prime Minister and Socialist candidate Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero looks at supporters during an election rally in Getafe, near Madrid, on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Spain will hold general elections...   (Associated Press)
Popular Party presidential candidate Mariano Rajoy gestures as he speaks to the media after a televised debate against Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid, on Monday, March 3, 2008. Spain goes to the polls on March 9. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)
Popular Party presidential candidate Mariano Rajoy gestures as he speaks to the media after a televised debate against Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid, on Monday, March 3,...   (Associated Press)
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More on the bitter Spanish debate
Guardian (UK)

Editorial: the battle for power
Times (UK)

English-language roundup of today's Spanish newspapers
Typically Spanish

World • Money

 
Spain • Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero • Madrid • Spanish elections • Mariano Rajoy • economy

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