Looks like there may be a regime change in Spain?

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&ncid=716&e=1&u=/ap/20040314/ap_on_re_eu/spain_elections_polls

Exit Polls Show Incumbents Losing Spain

MADRID, Spain - Spain's governing party was losing a large number of seats in Sunday's parliamentary elections, exit polls showed, opening the way for a possible victory by the opposition Socialists.


Voter turnout was high following bombings in Madrid that killed 200 people, with many voters saying they wanted to punish the government for supporting the Iraq (news - web sites) war and making Spain a target for al-Qaida.


An Eco Consulting poll on state TV showed the Socialists close to winning the race for the 350-seat Congress of Deputies, with 154-158 seats against 150-154 for the ruling Popular Party, which had 183 seats in the last legislature.

more

[WillyBrandt]

1. Great news! No chance of booting Lying Tony before Nov, eh?

[MSchreader]

3. If Labour loses big in the June 10 euroelections

I could see a no-confidence vote being held, which could be followed up by a General Election.

Martin

[AP]

4. Tories winning in the UK is NOT a victory for Dems in the US.

[still_one]

5. No, but

it looks like we may invade Spain and the UK if they don't vote the right way

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

7. I agree -- but the Tories ain't gonna win anytime soon nt

[MSchreader]

9. Duh!

That's why, if such a situation were to develop, Labour would probably find a new face, and drop Blair.

Martin

[WillyBrandt]

10. Um, there are also the Liberal Democrats

[MSchreader]

11. Fair enough

But I doubt that Kennedy could capitalize on any of this. His presence in the antiwar demonstrations last year seemed to do nothing for him or the LibDems. Somehow, I think any new election called will be between Howard's "New Tories" and some unknown person's "New-New Labour".

Martin

[DrWeird]

2. Looks like bad news for Bush.

An awful terrorist attack just before the elections isn't good for an incumbent conservative government after all. He's got nothing left now.

[ithacan]

8. but Amurik'ns ain't Spanyerds...

remember 9/11, so many Americans crowded around Commander Bunnypants Bush, "save us, save us"...

Unlike the Spanish, who KNOW what living under an authoritarian dictatorship is like.

I hope Americans would react the same way as the Spanish, but I would not bet any money on it.

[Florida_Geek]

6. Plus the new Government will probably pull ALL Spain's

Troops out of Iraq. While not a large number, it would look bad for Bush.

[berry]

12. Socialists WON big!!

and the voters are quite articulate about WHY. This is very good news. (While not making what happened on 3-11 less horrible...)

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=518&u=/ap/20040314/ap_on_re_eu/spain_elections&printer=1
<<Spain's Socialists Claim Victory
19 minutes ago

By ED McCULLOUGH, Associated Press Writer

MADRID, Spain - Voters ousted Spain's ruling party in elections Sunday, with many saying they were shaken by bombings in Madrid and furious with the government for backing the Iraq (news - web sites) war and making their country a target for al-Qaida.

The Socialist Party declared victory with 79 percent of the votes counted, as results showed it winning 164 seats in the 350-member parliament and the ruling Popular Party taking 147. The latter had 183 seats in the outgoing legislature.


"According to the available data, the Socialist Party has won the general election. It is a clear victory," said Jose Blanco, the party's campaign manager.


Turnout was high at 76 percent. Many voters said Thursday's bombings, which killed 200 people and wounded 1,500, was a decisive factor, along with the government's much-criticized handling of the initial investigation.>>