Spain: Socialists suffer heavy election losses

The Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero says the governing socialists are being punished for three years of economic crisis after a crushing defeat in regional and local elections. He said citizen's moral have been affected by the loss of thousands of jobs. However Mr. Zapatero said he will not bring forward the general elections. The leader of the opposition center right popular party, Mariano Rajoy, said it was his party's best ever results in regional and local elections. There was a street party outside the headquarters of Spain's main opposition party as thousands celebrated a historic victory over the socialists. Weaving flags and dancing, the crowd called for Prime Minister Zapatero to resign, after the Popular Party (PP) beat his party by full 10 points in the municipal votes. The PP is taking control of several key socialist strongholds, including the city of Seville in what is seen as a dress rehearsal for general elections next year.