Spain votes in general election

March 09, 2008

Analysts say a turnout of less than 75 percent would harm the ruling Socialists, and that a turnout below 70 percent could tip the scales to a victory for the conservative opposition Popular Party. Neither big party is likely to be able to govern without some form of support from regional or leftist parties, with whom the Socialists have made ad hoc alliances over the last four years. Sunday's election is overshadowed by the killing of a former Socialist councillor in the Basque Country which authorities blamed on Basque separatist group ETA.