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PLATO
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Of the occupied South
Dec 2002
time: 23:34
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4522638/
quote:
International News
Early results favor Spanish opposition
Vote overshadowed by Madrid train bombings
Peter Dejong / AP
Voters check their names on posted lists before voting at San Isidro School in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday.
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 3:58 p.m. ET March 14, 2004MADRID, Spain -
Spain’s ruling Popular Party looked headed for defeat in elections overshadowed by the Madrid terror bombings, with the opposition Socialists poised to score spectacular gains, according to partial results.
With 56 percent of the votes counted, the conservatives — who had been projected to win comfortably before the bombings — fell from 183 seats in the last 350-seat legislature to 146. The Socialists soared from 125 to 163.
Turnout was high at 76 percent. Voters expressed anger with the government, accusing it of provoking the Madrid attacks by supporting the U.S.-led war in Iraq, which most Spaniards opposed.
Earlier, two exit polls gave the Socialists the most votes, while another put the ruling Popular Party — favorite in opinion polls up to a week ago — in front.
Critics have said Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar invited the attention of Osama bin Laden’s terror group by allying Spain with Washington in the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.
Fueling anger were suspicions that the government withheld information in the investigation to avoid political fallout from the Thursday bombings, which killed 200 people and injured 1,500. The government had initially blamed the Basque separatist group ETA.
The exit polls suggested the Socialists had done much better than expected and that no single party would emerge with an absolute majority in parliament, meaning whoever wins most seats will probably need help from another party to form a government.
Analysts had warned the Popular Party could be rocked if voters believed Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida had mounted its first attack in Europe.
Telecinco television’s exit poll showed the Popular Party winning 40.6 percent of the vote to 38.3 percent for the Socialists. That would mean the Popular Party taking 169 seats, short of the 176 needed for an absolute majority.
State television had the Socialists winning 41.4 percent of the vote and the Popular Party 36 percent. Private radio Cadena Ser’s poll gave the Socialists 40.5 percent and the Popular Party 39.5 percent.
Before the attacks, polls gave ruling the Popular Party and its candidate, Mariano Rajoy, a 3-5 percentage point lead over the Socialists and their leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in the race for the 350-seat Congress of Deputies. Prime Minister Aznar is not seeking a third term; in the outgoing legislature, his party had 183 seats.
Feelings of ‘anguish, sadness, horror’
Many Spaniards entered voting booths grim-faced, and some wore handwritten badges that said “peace.”
“Spain has never voted in such a tragic situation. There’s a feeling of anguish, sadness, horror,” said Joaquin Leguina, a former president of Madrid’s regional government.
“I didn’t intend to vote, but changed my mind,” said Javi Martin, 30, who works for a TV station in Madrid. “And not because of the attacks, but because of the responsibility of the Popular Party. They gave out information drop by drop. It would have benefited them if it were ETA.”
Some evidence points toward al-Qaida role
Evidence of possible al-Qaida involvement grew after the government announced finding a videotape in a trash can Saturday on which a man says the Islamic terror group was punishing Spain for its support of the Iraq war. An Arabic-speaking man called a Madrid TV station to say the tape was there, Interior Minister Angel Acebes said.
Earlier in the day, three Moroccans and two Indians were arrested over the bombings.
Spain’s El Pais newspaper, citing the interior ministry, reported that the Moroccans are linked to Abu Dahdah, the jailed alleged leader of al-Qaida’s Spanish cell. Authorities in Morocco said Sunday they could not confirm that.
Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sunday it is too early to say whether al-Qaida was behind the bombings.
“It’s just premature to make a judgment. I don’t think we know enough, and the Spanish are very good at these kinds of investigations. And I’m sure they’ll get to the bottom of it,” Powell said.
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Is this a political victory for al-Qaida ? Does the coaltion begin to unravel now? Or does this even matter?
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Bereta_Eder
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quote:
Originally posted by PLATO
Well...yes. Congratulations.
BUT, doesn't the fact that al-Qaida may have influenced the outcome bother you? |
No. The Partido Popular support of the american blood bath in Iraq was illegal and immoral and they have been punished by that in the elections. They ignored their own people and have payed in true democracy.
I feel very sad about the terrorist attacks but if ONE positive message can come out of them is that the PEOPLE can regain the power it was denied from them.
So Hurray for the socialists and the Spanish.
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Kontiki
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Canada
Aug 2001
time: 00:34
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Man, Fez's head is going to explode.
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Dr Strangelove
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I can sympathize with the Spanish people's displeasure at being involved in a war in Iraq inititated under false pretenses. Frankly I'd like to see Geo. Bush impeached after we get our troops out, which I hope will be this year. OTOH I have no quarrel with the legitimate war on OBL's organization. By knuckling in to pressure from al-Qaeda Spain may be inviting outright extortion. Will the socialists be able to resist? Probably, but what will OBL's men do if their demands are thwarted next time?
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Kontiki
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Canada
Aug 2001
time: 00:34
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quote:
Originally posted by PLATO
Did you read the article? Before the bombing the conservatives were expected to easily win. This is not punishment of the existing government for not caving into the liberal, despot supporting rantings of the ill informed anti-iraqi Freedom crowd. This is a populace caving in to terrorism. A bad precedent for sure. |
Or another way to look at it:
You have a right-wing government that decided to actively involve itself in the war in Iraq, believing that it was the right move in the "war on terrorism". One of the oft-cited claims of those involved in Iraq is that such action made the world safer overall and put a dent into the terrorist network. Then, all of a sudden, Spain is hit by a massive terrorist attack. A government that's already on somewhat shaky ground and that claims it's taking steps to make everyone safer seems to have lost it's biggest barganing chip, so they lose the election.
Note - I'm not passing judgement over the any political party in Spain, as I really don't know diddly about them. I'm just saying that this is another way to look at the events of the last few days.
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Bereta_Eder
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People realize who the main cause for their tragedy was. Iraq had nothing to do with combatting terrorism but actually re-enforced it. The people punished the real guilty onces.
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Bereta_Eder
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People realize who the main cause for their tragedy was. Iraq had nothing to do with combatting terrorism but actually re-enforced it. The people punished the real guilty onces. And will of course punish the guilty onces as well.
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Bereta_Eder
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yeah that played an important part as well
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Comrade Tassadar
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quote:
Originally posted by PLATO
They changed the outcome of the election through the use of terror. How is it anything other than a victory for al-Qaida? |
Al Qaeda influenced the US political landscape, it influenced your laws, and it influenced your behavior.
So I guess one could say Al Qaeda triumphed over the United States?
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All times are GMT. The time now is 05:34.
Apolyton Time is 00:34. |
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15-03-2004 02:22
How can you expect that people don't think about such a large terrorist attack and it may effect their decisions...?
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