News, May 2004

News Theme: European Union election, 13th June

On Sunday 14th March a general election was held. The results were a major surprise, significantly affected by the 11th March train bomings in Madrid. Now Spaniards are called yet again to vote and this time the main issue appears to be the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and defence policy in general.

There is still time, at the moment of writing, for issues to rise and fall, but the inilateral withdrawal of troops is a major issue with which the former government party, PP, is understandably upset.

Other issues which might influence the vote/ outcome are: 1.indifference to Europe, causing widespread abstention; 2.fears about the job losses to the new member states; 3. the socialist government has decided to allow a reduction in Spanish voting power within the Council of Ministers to ease the way for the new European Constitution.

34,711,611 voters including 125,642 EU residents are called to the polls in Spain, along with all other EU citizens in their countries. The EU parliament in Strasbourg will have a very different appearance with representatives from the ten new member states.

More in the Special Reports: Election http://www.prayforspain.com/comment/index6.html and 3/11: coment:16

More about the government: http://www.prayforspain.com/general/index4.html