Popular party claims to gain victory in Spain

 

Voters in Spain are heading to the polls in an election expected to bring in a new conservative government to tackle the country's finances.

Opinion polls have given the centre-right Popular Party, led by Mariano Rajoy, a clear lead over the governing Socialist Party.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero - who is not standing for re-election - called the election amid concerns over the economy.
Mr Zapatero has led Spain since 2004.
With slow growth and almost five million unemployed, the economy has been at the heart of the election campaign.
Borrowing rates this week have passed 6% for most of this week, perilously close to the 7% level which is seen as unsustainable.