New (Spanish) PM Promises Realignment in Europe

Zapatero signals move away from US


When he ordered the crowd of flag-waving supporters at his headquarters to stop their celebrations and stand silent for a minute's homage to Madrid's dead and injured last night José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero was starting what he pledged would be a new style of government.

(snip)

The first people to be cared for, he said, were the families of the dead, those still missing relatives and those still battling for their lives or recovering from ghastly, life-changing injuries in hospital. But the main task, he said, was to fight terrorism wherever it raises its ugly head.

This will necessarily mean forging relationships with other world leaders, though Spain's place in the world may be about to change dramatically with Mr Zapatero at the helm. He has already said he wants George Bush to lose the presidential elections, so he will have no friend there.

As for Tony Blair, he had already welcomed Mariano Rajoy, Mr Aznar's successor, to Downing Street before the elections. Mr Blair's friendship with Mr Aznar has always irked Spain's socialists, some of whom see him as a traitor of the left.

Yesterday the leader of the house, Peter Hain, promised that relations with Spain would be unaffected by the change in government.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,2763,1169596,00.html

spain just told george to go get fucked...i guess they are no longer willing....does this mean that spain will back castro and chavez against the bush machine? i would rather imagine that this changes alot in central and south america....

over this turn of events. Think he's a little worried? He should be.

of importance. He goes to sleep early knowing that his handlers will tell him what to do and think in the morning.

It is time the World's majority of people kick those
small evil ruling minority out on their asses where they belong.

Hat's off to the Spaniards!!!

Of course he wasn't a world leader until today... but who's counting!

Great! Where did you see that?

the presidential elections; thus, one can infer that he wants Kerry to win.

;)

Only a bit more seriously... The Democratic Party is affiliated with the Socialist International (I believe as an observer) so maybe Zapatero can convince Kerry to opt for full membership?

:D

Old story, but so so relevent IMHO.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2004%2F01%2F16%2Fwspain16.xml

Tony Blair has been called "a complete dickhead" by a leading Spanish politician live on television. The comment was made by Jose Bono, one of the three most powerful figures in the Socialist Party. His remarks were not intended to be heard, but were recorded by a television team while he was talking to Joaquin Almunia, a former Socialist leader.

Mr Bono said: "Hey, and our colleague Blair? He's a complete dickhead (un gilipollas integral). He's an imbecile."

The comments contrast with the Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar's carefully cultivated friendship with Mr Blair. The party is irritated by Mr Blair's friendship with Mr Aznar and dislikes the resulting Anglo-Spanish alliance.

There is little question that were Spain's conservatives to lose power, the London-Madrid axis would collapse.

José Bono is slated to become a minister... He's brilliant. And deadpan honest. And diplomatic if he wants to... ;)

Hope it's something where he can meet Tony Blair - often.

You're next bunkerboy!

Bring it on!