National
Mariano Rajoy says he is more moderate than Zapatero
By h.b.
Feb 24, 2008 - 10:31 AM

In an interview with El País published on Sunday, the leader of the Partido Popular, Mariano Rajoy, has declared that he is more balanced, moderate and reasonable than the Prime Minister, although he said personally he had nothing against José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

The paper spent a week with Rajoy and concludes that he is not sure of winning, but he is sure that he can win. If he loses he says he will not resign.

It has been noted that Rajoy is avoiding campaigning with the hard right of his party, Eduardo Zaplana and Ángel Acebes. Some journalists have noted that the Socialists are keen to put the three men together, and to that end have erected a huge banner in Gran Via in Madrid of the three PP leaders together. The PP are shown looking bored and above them on the 50m by 30m poster in comparison the three big names from the Government, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, and Pedro Solbes, are all shown smiling.

Meanwhile the latest Metroscopia poll published in El País gives the Socialists a lead of 3.7%, and forecasts a turnout of between 73 and 74%.