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Mariano Rajoy accepts TV debates with Zapatero
By h.b. - Feb 15, 2008 - 7:23 AM

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There has been a long-running arguement as to which channels should carry such a debate between the party leaders

The Partido Popular have finally accepted two television debates between party leader, Mariano Rajoy and the Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

A proposal placed by the Spanish Television Academy has been accepted by both sides. It means that the two debates will be held on what is described as ‘neutral territory’ and will be broadcast free to air on Feb 25 and March 3.

The Academy will make the signal available to all the channels which want to take it, but the market leader Tele5 has already indicated it will not be broadcasting the programmes. A statement from the company said they did not consider it profitable to broadcast a programme which was being broadcast at the same time on other channels. State broadcaster TVE will take the signal, and Antena Tres is yet to announce their plans. Cuatro have indicate also that they will broadcast the programme provided it is ‘open and neutral’.

However despite the apparent agreement the Television Academy has said today that it sees difficulties in holding the debates. The latest stumbling block is the decision as to who will act as moderator in the programmes.