Lawmakers investigating the Madrid train bombings voted yesterday to seek testimony from former prime minister Jose Maria Aznar, ending weeks of political wrangling.

However, the 16-member panel rejected a last-minute request from Aznar's conservative Popular Party to summon Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

Aznar's party says the Socialists tried to manipulate public opinion in the days right after the March 11 attack, leading up to general elections that Aznar's party lost amid charges he had made Spain a target for Al Qaida.

Popular Party spokesman Eduardo Zaplana said the panel's refusal to summon Zapatero and other Socialist officials was "an unprecedented scandal."

Aznar has said he is willing to appear before the commission. No date was given for Aznar's testimony. Aznar is 10th on the list of 14 and is likely to appear some time in October.