Spaniards are voting in general elections today dominated by the poor state of the
economy. Voting booths opened their doors early on Sunday with some opening late
in the South of the country due to bad flooding. The Spanish people are casting ballots
to elect 350 members of Parliament and 208 senators.
The Socialist candidate
Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba is pitted against Mariano Rajoy's center-right
Popular Party and with the economic situation high on voters minds, polls have suggested
that Mr Rajoy could be elected to try and steer the country from financial crisis.
Almost
two years of recession have left Spain with a euro-zone high 21.5 percent unemployment
rate and a heavy budget deficit.
The country's key borrowing rate rose above
6 percent for five consecutive days last week, just one percent below a rate considered
unsustainable.
Voters have until 9pm Sunday evening to make up their minds
with first results expected overnight.Listen