Spanish prime minister and the conservative opposition leader dueled in their first TV debate here Monday evening ahead of the March 9 presidential election.
The debate focused on political, economic and social issues which were said to be of concern to voters.
The two candidates, Spanish Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and opposition leader Mariano Rajoy, confronted each other for the first time during the two-hour debate, clashing on various laws, ETA, the economy and immigration, attracting more than 13 million viewers in the process.
Rajoy attacked Zapatero over his ineffective peace talks with ETA terrorism and his loose immigrant policy which he says is bringing too many legal immigrants to the country. He also criticized current education policy, inflation and unemployment figures.
Zapatero hit back by saying Rajoy was merely criticizing instead of offering ways to solve the problems, adding that he supports the main policies and guidelines of the incumbent government.
An opinion poll conducted by Metroscopia in Spanish newspaper El Pais showed 46 percent of viewers thought Zapatero won Monday's debate, while 42 percent thought Rajoy had the upper hand. Twelve percent considered it a draw.
A second TV debate is scheduled for March 3.
Source: Xinhua
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