News Stories - Spanish general election
 
A week ago no-one would have predicted it - a triumph for the Socialists, a disaster for the Popular Party. The bomb attacks in Madrid did more than shock this country to the core; they proved to be the decisive factor in the general election.

The Socialist party leader, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, said his first priority as prime minister would be to tackle terrorism in all its forms. But he's likely to do it in a very different way than the outgoing government. He was a vocal opponent of Spain supporting the US-led war in Iraq and in power he may seek to withdraw Spanish troops who are serving in Iraq now.

The late swing to the Socialists also raises one disturbing thought. If al-Qaeda was responsible for Thursday's attacks, it appears to have had significant influence in changing the government of a leading western democracy.
 
- vocabulary:
a triumph: a great success
shock this country to the core: disturb and upset the people of this country
the decisive factor: something that, more than anything else, influences the outcome of an issue

his first priority: the thing he must do first

the outgoing government: the government who have been voted out
a vocal opponent: someone who is against something and criticises it publicly
seek to: try to

late swing: a change in voting towards the end of an election
disturbing: worrying, upsetting

significant influence: the power to affect the outcome of something
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