Spain set to vote in general election

Madrid: Spanish citizens go to the polls on Sunday in an election that will probably see the current Socialist party retain power.

In a campaign that focussed mainly on the weakening Spanish economy and immigration woes, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's ruling Socialist party will meet Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party.

As Spaniards battle debt and unemployment, as well as rising inflation and immigration, they will decide whether to reinstate the Socialist party for another four years or not.

According to opinion polls published on Monday, the Socialists have a slight lead over the PP.

Friday's bomb attack which claimed the life of a former Socialist councillor is expected to raise voter turnout.

However, political analysts do not believe that the attack will likely change the outcome of the vote.

Considering the PP's stronger core vote, analysts believe that a turnout out of less than 75 per cent would harm the Socialists, and one of below 70 percent could even lead to a conservative win.