National
Spanish Prime Minister sees popularity slip after 100 days back in power
By h.b. - Jul 21, 2008 - 8:11 AM
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The first 100 days of the new Socialist Zapatero administration also saw the Government working without an effective opposition because of the leadership in-fighting in the Partido Popular before their congress held in Valencia earlier last month.
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero spent most of the 100 days avoiding the use of the word ‘crisis’ preferring phrases such as ‘economic deceleration’ and ‘difficult and complicated situation’. Now the Government underlines that it has designed 47 measures to fight the slowdown, but nevertheless the Prime Minister finds himself lower than ever in the popularity polls.
Possibly most controversial new policy over the time is the idea of paying unemployment money to immigrants if they return to their countries of origin for three years – the plan comes into effect in September.
Over the 100 days, Zapatero has carried out three official trips, attended five international summits and has met with 27 heads of state.
Day 100 is tomorrow Tuesday, and the day after the Prime Minister will meet with the leader of the Partido Popular opposition Mariano Rajoy – for the first time this legislature.
Rajoy has offered support for the Government in five key areas.
Speaking this weekend in the PP Summer School he said he would offer Zapatero ‘state pacts’ on terrorism, the model of the state, foreign policy, pensions and justice. Rajoy described the first 100 days of the new Zapatero administration as being of ‘inertia’.
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