MADRID – Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero could announce as soon as this weekend that he will not seek a third term, as his Socialists face a drubbing in May local polls and a 2012 general election.
A meeting on April 2nd of the Socialists’ federal committee offers Mr Zapatero a chance to make an announcement on his future and trigger primaries for a new party leader before the local vote, say political analysts.
At stake is not so much whether the opposition Popular Party (PP) wins nationally next year as the size of its parliamentary majority and the ease with which a conservative government could deepen unpopular spending cuts and reforms to help Spain balance its books and avoid an Irish-style bailout.
Mr Zapatero is under pressure from the Socialists to step aside soon so a successor can be chosen, thus limiting electoral damage.
Socialist mayoral and regional legislature candidates are finding it hard to campaign for the May 22nd elections as Mr Zapatero’s popularity flags after economic stagnation and 20 per cent unemployment.
The PP has led voting intentions by up to 15 points in polls, is set to make major gains in May and win the general election in March next year. – (Reuters)