PP expected to gain comfortable majority at elections

SPAIN (GibChronicle) The Partido Popular is expected to obtain a comfortable majority in the regional and local elections that will be taking place across Spain on May 22nd, according to a nationwide opinion poll carried out by the government run institute CIS (Centro Investigaciones Sociologicas). According to the results the Partido Popular will be making substantial territorial gains in traditional PSOE strongholds such as Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha where Maria Dolores de Cospedal, the attractive PP General Secretary, is expected to obtain>
a majority and wrest control from the socialists. The PSOE has always ruled in Castilla-La Mancha since the restoration of democracy in Spain.

In Extremadura a post election pact with the communist Izquierda Unida could allow the PSOE to remain in power, with a similar picture emerging in Aragon. The PSOE will be the most voted party in the Canary Island but falling short of an absolute majority. Meanwhile in the Balearic Islands the PP is expected to recover its absolute majority of past legislatures. Overall control in Asturias is in the air following a breakaway political party formed by former Aznar Government Minister Alvarez Cascos cutting into the overall PP vote. Rajoy’s party would also be the most voted in Cantabria and augment its absolute majority in Castilla-Leon, Murcia, Ceuta, Melilla and La Rioja.

The PP is also expected to augment its absolute majority in the Valencia region – despite Gurtel – and to hold the capital’s Ayuntamiento. Esperanza Aguirre, the PP’s ‘Iron Lady’ in the Madrid region is expected to obtain another sweeping victory increasing her absolute majority over the Tomas Gomez led PSOE, to retain the regional government in the heart of Spain. Sra Aguirre successfully battled a serious illness earlier this year. Ruiz Gallardon is also expected to retain the Madrid Ayuntamiento for the PP. The opinion poll makes bleak reading for the PSOE which is also expected to lose the Ayuntamiento in two key capitals – Barcelona and Sevilla, to Convergencia and the PP respectively. In the latter case, a pact with the minority Izquierda Unida could hold the balance of power.

The region of Andalucia will not be going to the polls on the 22nd.