SPAIN: Thousands of loyal sympathisers of the Popular Party gathered outside its party headquarters in the centre of Madrid yesterday to demonstrate their support for the outgoing Prime Minister, Mr José María Aznar, and his would-be successor Mr Mariano Rajoy.
They had planned to hold celebrations on the same spot last Sunday night to mark their expected victory at the polls as has become their tradition.
Instead the triumph turned into defeat and only a few disappointed supporters turned up. Many supporters believe the elections should have been postponed. "The country was not in a fit state to vote," said one well-dressed demonstrator.
They believe victory was snatched from their grasp at the last moment in the stunned aftermath of the massacre on four crowded commuter trains, which killed 201 people.
"The socialist victory will always be stained by the blood of the victims of the bombing," said another demonstrator.
The "spontaneous" demonstration had been summoned overnight by mobile phone, e-mails and text messages, calling on loyal supporters: "Assemble in support and gratitude for eight years of progress and prosperity. Be there!"
It was apparently unplanned and unauthorised. A similar method had been used on Saturday night to call anti-PP demonstrators to the same spot.
Although the PP sent its own e-mails asking the faithful to stay away yesterday, it was largely ignored. The enthusiastic but bitter crowd waved red and white PP banners and red and gold Spanish flags, and chanted "Thank you Aznar". They waved banners declaring: "We will not give in to al-Qaeda."
The cheers grew even louder when the defeated candidate Mr Rajoy came out on to the balcony to acknowledge his support. In what many see as an inflammatory gesture, since the demonstration was illegal, he waved, applauded and gave them the V for victory salute.
Windows of the eight-floor building were lined with party workers and volunteers who waved their own flags and threw down papers convening the faithful to assemble in a mass pro-Aznar rally in the bullring on March 27th.
The demonstration came only hours after an e-mail had spread a rumour across Spain and abroad alleging that the PP had planned to ask King Juan Carlos to declare a state of emergency on Saturday night and to order a postponement of the elections.
The rumour is believed to have originated in an Internet chat room, although it named the Cadena Ser radio station as the source.
A Cadena Ser spokesman yesterday denied the allegations, and said they too had received the e-mails.
A Cortes \ official also denied any claim that the King had been asked to intervene.
"That e-mail is full of errors. Whoever wrote it had no knowledge of either the constitution or the electoral law."
However, the story spread like wildfire. Speaking at the preview of his latest film, The Bad Education, the film director Pedro Almodovar repeated it. "Popular Party was planning a coup d'etat on Saturday night," he alleged.
The party announced that it was pressing slander and calumny charges against the director. Mr Almodovar was not available for comment last night.