13 Million tune in to TV debate
by Maja Gojkovic
Spain hosted its first televised electoral debate in 15 years. The debate went down a storm and had an estimated 13 million viewers glued to their TV sets. The debate saw the clash between José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the prime minister, and the opposition leader Mariano Rajoy.
The debate was almost as popular as past football finals between top Spanish clubs and their European opponents and at one point the country saw 60% of televisions tuned in to the debate.
The debate was the first in 15 years with the last televised clash being in 1993 between Felipe González, the socialist reformer, and José María Aznar, the conservative who went on to lead the country between 1996 and 2004.
On March 9 th the Spanish Public will see the result, either another four years of Mr Zapatero’s Socialist party (PSOE), or a return to the Popular party led by Mr Aznar’s successor.
Currently PSOE are in the lead according to the polls although in recent days the votes have narrowed. Monday night’s debate will have a repeat run which will be aired next Monday. Next Monday’s debate could see the result and be decisive in mobilizing PSOE supporters who are thinking of abstaining. According to analysts the party(PSOE) needs a turnout of close to 75 per cent to win enough seats to claim victory.
PSOE was yesterday declared the winner in the first round although according to analysts Mr Rajoy campaign had proved surprisingly effective where his aim is to portray Spain as a country that is on the verge of recession and overrun by immigrants.