Socialist International welcomes PSOE victory in Spain

The Socialist International warmly welcomes today the victory of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, PSOE, in yesterday’s general elections in Spain.

Only last month, in Madrid, the Council of the International, hosted by our Spanish comrades and with the participation of leaders and representatives of labour and social democratic parties from all continents, discussed the need to build a more secure world, underlining our shared commitment to policies and initiatives to this end.

Sadly, Spain became last Thursday the victim of a tragic and murderous terrorist attack, unprecedented in Europe. In yesterday’s election, three days after these crimes, the Spanish people have reaffirmed and massively demonstrated their faith in democracy and their institutions, for which we pay tribute.

Spain has today a new, socialist, government to be led by PSOE General Secretary José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. We greet the victory of our Spanish comrades in which we see a reaffirmation and a clear message for peace and security in a world faced with many uncertainties. We equally salute their victory as a message of hope and confidence in the values and principles of the social democratic movement for a world more humane, more peaceful, and more fair.

The Socialist International reiterates its full solidarity with the PSOE and wishes it every success in government.