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Well-earned endorsement

Garnering a share of 43 per cent of a turnout of 75 per cent, the Spanish socialist party, the PSOE, has won 169 seats in Spain’s lower house, seven short of an absolute majority, although it leads the largest opposition party, the conservative People’s Party, by 16 seats. The returning Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, does not plan to seek a coalition partner but intends to make ad hoc alliances with smaller parties, p resumably other Left parties and possibly the Convergence and Union party. The electoral verdict is an endorsement of Mr. Zapatero’s previous term of four years, though reservations about the economy and about immigration presumably limited the PSOE’s support. Further, the divisive and acrimonious campaign was brutally marred by the murder of the socialist former town councillor Isaias Carrasco — a murder widely blamed on Basque separatist extremists.

Mr. Zapatero’s first term was notable for major reforms, including the legalisation of divorce and same-sex marriage. Gender-motivated violence was also taken much more seriously than it had been previously. A minimum wage was introduced as has been done in most other European Union States. Mr. Zapatero’s other strengths are his excellent relations with Cuba — he has helped improve relations between Cuba and the EU — and other Left governments in Latin America, such as those of Venezuela and Bolivia. Furthermore, Mr. Zapatero’s withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq and his strong support of UN-mandated activities have enhanced Spain’s international standing. Mr. Zapatero’s initiatives have their inevitable share of critics and problems. There is for instance the evident capital drain in which some businesses have relocated to Morocco, where labour-protection is probably minimal. Other EU States dislike Spain’s amnesty for illegal immigrants, despite the fact that such amnesties turn people from twilight-zone dwellers into legitimate workers and taxpayers. Many of Mr. Zapatero’s first-term social reforms were opposed by the Catholic Church. Islamic groups also joined that Church in opposing these salutary education reforms. Mr. Zapatero appears undaunted by the resistance and clearly plans to bring in more social reforms, stronger anti-discrimination legislation, and new green laws, including public expenditure of 9 billion euros on reducing household emissions. Much will depend on the economy. The usual challengers are also bound to rear their heads as Mr. Zapatero presses on with his agenda. But there can be little doubt that his progressive agenda deserves all encouragement.

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