Spain Votes in Election After Attacks. (Popular party may be in trouble)

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Spain Votes in Election After Attacks

Sunday March 14, 2004 5:01 PM


By ED McCULLOUGH

Associated Press Writer

MADRID, Spain (AP) - Spaniards voted Sunday in general elections thrown wide open by a reported al-Qaida claim that it staged deadly rail bombings last week to punish the government for supporting the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Protesters shouted ``murderer'' at the ruling party candidate as he cast his ballot.

Voter turnout was high, and many people said they went to the polls purely to show their fury at President Jose Maria Aznar and his Popular Party for Spain's worst terror attack.
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``I wasn't planning to vote, but I am here today because the Popular Party is responsible for murders here and in Iraq,'' said Ernesto Sanchez-Gey, 48, who voted in Barcelona.

Five hours after polls opened, 41 percent of registered voters had cast ballots, a 5.5 percent increase over four years ago, Spain's electoral commission said.

Many Spaniards entered voting booths grim-faced, and some wore handwritten badges that said ``peace.''
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``I wasn't planning to vote, but I am here today because the Popular Party is responsible for murders here and in Iraq,'' said Ernesto Sanchez-Gey, 48, who voted in Barcelona.

Five hours after polls opened, 41 percent of registered voters had cast ballots, a 5.5 percent increase over four years ago, Spain's electoral commission said.

Many Spaniards entered voting booths grim-faced, and some wore handwritten badges that said ``peace.''
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3859929,00.html