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Socialist Party Wins in Spain

But ruling party will fall short of majority in parliament

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 9, 2008 4:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Spain's Socialist Party overcame a sputtering economy and the murder of a former councilor to win today's national election, the BBC reports. "The Spanish people have spoken clearly and have decided to open a new period without tension, without confrontation," Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told a crowd of supporters in Madrid.

With 92% of votes tallied, the Socialists are projected to win 168 seats, compared to the conservative Popular Party's 154. But the Socialist Party failed to win a parliamentary majority and may need to re-form an uneasy union with a smaller, nationalist party. PP's campaign chief welcomed today's result, saying "the number of votes we have won has risen considerably from 2004, as has the number of seats."

Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero gestures after winning Spain's general elections at the Socialist's party headquarter in Madrid, on Sunday, March 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano) (Associated Press)

Supporters of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero wave flags at the Socialist's party headquarter in Madrid, on Sunday, March 9, 2008. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero appeared... (Associated Press)

A socialist supporter holds a rose while waiting for the final results of the Spanish elections in front the socialist party headquarters in Madrid, Sunday March 9, 2008. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis... (Associated Press)

Supporters of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero waves flags at the Socialist's party headquarter in Madrid, on Sunday, March 9, 2008. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero appeared... (Associated Press)

A farmer drives his tractor behind a campaign poster of Spain's Prime Minister and candidate for the Socialist Party, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, for the general elections March 9 near Malaga, Spain,... (Associated Press)

Popular Party candidate Mariano Rajoy arrives to vote during Spain's general election in Madrid, on Sunday, March 9, 2008. Spaniards started voting in a general election Sunday, after a divisive campaign... (Associated Press)

A person works below posters of Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, left, and Popular Party candidate Mariano Rajoy, right, in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, Spain on Friday, March... (Associated Press)

Spainish Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero gestures during his party's win at the socialist party headquarters in Madrid, Sunday March 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (Associated Press)

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Socialist Party Wins in Spain

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Socialist Party Wins in Spain

But ruling party will fall short of majority in parliament

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

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gay marriage • Spain • Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero • Socialist Party • Madrid • gender bias • election • economy • Popular Party

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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Nasty campaign will weigh in on Zapatero era

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Country grapples with Eurozone's worst unemployment

Spain Socialists Face Suddenly Tough Election

Vote next month will be world's first big test of credit crunch fallout

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Newser By Users

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