Smash hit

The conspiracy theory debate rumbles on in the Spanish press, but there is little doubt that Señor Zapatero’s policies have been popular — his approval rating stands at about 60 per cent and his main opponent is languishing at less than half that level.

More than 90 per cent of Spaniards had opposed Spain’s involvement in the war in Iraq and overwhelmingly applauded his decision to bring their troops home. Two thirds approved of his move to legalise homosexual unions.

As for the economy, he argues that opposition to liberalism is virtually dead and the core issue for political debate is more what you do with the proceeds of growth. Instead of increasing the tax burden, he is cutting five percentage points off the corporate rate and two percentage points off the top rate of individual tax. So far the results have been good.

Spain is enjoying its eleventh consecutive year of expansion, and the economy grew at an annualised rate of 3.5 per cent in the first quarter of the year, far outpacing the eurozone’s modest 1.9 per cent. In the past year the country has created 60 per cent of the eurozone’s new jobs, but there is increasing concern about a hyperactive construction sector and a housing market characterised by rampant speculation.

Spain could provide a significant challenge for the European Central Bank (ECB), which is trying to cope with sluggish growth in much of the Continent and does not have the tools to deal with a Spanish inflation rate of 4 per cent, the highest in the eurozone.

Señor Zapatero said that it was not his responsibility to offer advice to the ECB, whose independence he respects, but his Government will inevitably be taking an increasing interest in the bank’s announcements.

The even-tempered, easy-smiling and camera-friendly Prime Minister insists that individual issues are not keeping him awake at night and that there should be a punishment for any individual in public office who does not appreciate the privilege or complains about the pressure.

“I sleep very well,” he says, explaining that he normally gets seven hours regardless of the stresses of the job. “It’s clearly one of the things I’m most lucky about. I think that’s thanks to my daughters.”

The 45-year-old Prime Minister could go on for a long time — his grandmothers have lived beyond 100 years of age — but he insists that political leaders should not stay too long in office because democracy needs frequent change to stay fresh.

Unlike Mr Blair, however, he won’t give a specific indication of when he will bid farewell to his minimalist office and his responsibilities as a leader of the Spanish-speaking world.

“One should never make the mistake of announcing how long you’re going to be in power,” he says with a grin. “That would be giving your adversary an advantage.”

LEFT-WING POLICY ANGERS CHURCH

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