20-N, general elections

The president of the Government, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero called the media to Moncloa at 12:30 to announce the early general elections “in order to give stability and certainty” so he said. The president has decided to bring forward the elections to the 20th of November “so that the new government can exercise all of its competences by the end of the year” and “because this date allows sufficient time to complete in September all the reforms that are currently in congress”, he stated. He didn’t wish to clarify when he took the decision not even when less than a month ago in Saint Petersburg he assured that he would complete the full term in office.

Mr. Rubalcaba has gained protagonism as the presentation went on speaking about the upcoming elections. “I have called all those people under my responsibility that I thought convenient, those who needed to know knew about my decision” he added.

Zapatero convoked the media after the Minister’s Cabinet regular meeting, during the previous legislature he promised to meet with the media before and after the summer so as to give a briefing on the country’s situation. Mr Jose Blanco was the only minister present at the time.

Rodríguez Zapatero highlighted that unemployment dropped last month, “bases for economic recovery have been set”, the main task at hand now is to work towards the country’s economic recovery”, he said.

The president of the Government has expressed in several occasions his will to complete the legislature in March but one must also mention that the PSOE has gained 3 electoral points from the CIS scale after the appointment of Rubalcaba as the official candidate.

Mariano Rajoy also appeared before the press soon after to give his balance of this political year.

Glossary

Stability –       estabilidad

Certainty –      certidumbre

a month ago – hace un mes

Promise –        prometer

To highlight –  subrayar / destacar