Europe | Spain's political prospects

The battle of Madrid

Foreshadowing the next election

|madrid

“WHOEVER wins Madrid, will win the general election in March.” So said José Luis Zapatero, leader of Spain's opposition Socialists some months ago. Now that the centre-right People's Party has regained control of Madrid, Mr Zapatero has modified his position: he had expected a far worse result, and his party is in better shape than ever for the spring elections. Yet it is his original forecast that may prove the more accurate.

This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “The battle of Madrid”

Vlad the impaler

From the November 1st 2003 edition

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