Spanish voters take revenge on PM for huge unemployment

Spain's ruling Socialists suffered a crushing defeat in municipal and regional elections.

The centre-Right Popular Party took nearly all the 13 regional governments up for grabs, including Castilla-La Mancha, Seville and Barcelona, where the Left has always held power.

Yesterday's vote took place amid severe unemployment and massive protests by Spaniards furious with what they see as selfish and corrupt politicians.

Thousands who have occupied the central Madrid square of Puerto del Sol for eight days said they would stay for another week.

Prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said he had no intention of calling an early general election, which must be held by March. He said the defeat was "very clearly related to the economic crisis".

He said he would press on with reforms aimed at creating jobs. Unemployment stands at 21.3 per cent, rising to nearly 40 per cent among the young.