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| Spanish government faces key vote in Galicia | Spanish government faces key vote in Galicia |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Voters are to go to the polls in Spain's north-west region of Galicia in an election seen as a key test of the government's economic policy. | Voters are to go to the polls in Spain's north-west region of Galicia in an election seen as a key test of the government's economic policy. |
| Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's centre-right People's Party has ruled the region for 24 of the past 31 years. | |
| Polls suggest Mr Rajoy, a native of Galicia, has lost support nationally because of austerity measures. | Polls suggest Mr Rajoy, a native of Galicia, has lost support nationally because of austerity measures. |
| A regional vote will also be held in the Basque Country, where separatist parties are expected to do well. | A regional vote will also be held in the Basque Country, where separatist parties are expected to do well. |
| Spain has been in economic difficulty since the 2008 global financial crisis caused a big crash in the property market, triggering huge losses at its banks. | Spain has been in economic difficulty since the 2008 global financial crisis caused a big crash in the property market, triggering huge losses at its banks. |
| Its recession is forecast to deepen, and the country's 17 regional governments are laden with heavy debts. | Its recession is forecast to deepen, and the country's 17 regional governments are laden with heavy debts. |
| Unemployment stands at about 25% nationally, and 21% in Galicia. There have been widespread protests against public spending cuts. | Unemployment stands at about 25% nationally, and 21% in Galicia. There have been widespread protests against public spending cuts. |
| Spain is under pressure to ask Brussels for a bailout, but observers say Mr Rajoy may be waiting until after the regional elections to request one. | Spain is under pressure to ask Brussels for a bailout, but observers say Mr Rajoy may be waiting until after the regional elections to request one. |
| Spain has already in line to receive 100bn euros (£81bn) in eurozone loans for its banks. | Spain has already in line to receive 100bn euros (£81bn) in eurozone loans for its banks. |
| In the Basque country, the Socialist Party that has been in power since 2009 is facing the conservative Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and a new coalition of left-wing separatists called Euskal Herria Bildu. | In the Basque country, the Socialist Party that has been in power since 2009 is facing the conservative Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and a new coalition of left-wing separatists called Euskal Herria Bildu. |