Bailout rumours overshadow Spanish regional elections
Almost 4.5 million people will go to the polls today in regional elections in Spain’s turbulent Basque region and in north western Galicia.
Premier Mariano Rajoy has refrained from revealing whether his government will seek a national bailout during campaigning for the elections even though most Spaniards believe it to be inevitable.
With 2.7 million voters, Galicia is a traditional Popular Party stronghold and the homeland of Mr Rajoy, so an upset there would rock the PP regionally and nationally.
About 1.8 million Basque voters are likely to oust Socialist leader Patxi Lopez from the 75-seat legislature in the prosperous northern region that borders France.
The Basque region has been wracked by decades of separatist violence.
Most observers believe Mr Rajoy will announce details of a bailout soon after the elections.
