Elections...somewhere

In Spain, the incumbent Socialist Party (PSOE) has maintained control of the government and extended the term of prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, though they failed to win a majority of parliamentary seats and will have to seek a coalition with one of the smaller parties. The PSOE initially came to power in 2004 after the Madrid train bombings inflamed popular opposition to the conservative Popular Party's complicity with Bush's Iraq adventure.

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Last year, many people around the world closely followed the gripping French presidential race between Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal. Though Sarkozy won the presidency, of course, early returns from the latest local elections are hinting at a setback for his ruling UMP party.