SPAIN: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON OPPOSITION LEADER

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002530

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DEPT FOR EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN: AMBASSADOR CALLS ON OPPOSITION LEADER

Classified By: Ambassador George L. Argyros, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy, meeting
with the Ambassador June 30, was upbeat about the PP's
showing in the June European Parliament elections and in the
party's prospects to regain power. Rajoy upbraided the
Zapatero government for causing strains with Washington and
for Zapatero's subordination to the French. Rajoy reaffirmed
the PP's pro-US orientation and the party's support for the
deployment of additional Spanish troops to Afghanistan.
Rajoy said he would seek reaffirmation as the PP's Secretary
General at the next party congress in September. End Summary


2. (C) Ambassador and poloff met July 1 with Mariano Rajoy,
Secretary General of the opposition Popular Party (PP) and

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unsuccessful presidential candidate in Spain's March 14
elections. Rajoy was positive and upbeat during the meeting,
saying he enjoyed his role in the opposition but looked
forward to defeating the Spanish Socialist Workers Party
(PSOE) whenever the next elections take place. Rajoy
believed the PP achieved an excellent result in the June 13
European Parliament elections by winning nearly as many seats
as the PSOE (only one seat fewer) and only two percentage
points fewer in total votes, particularly since PSOE "based
their entire campaign on the Iraq pullout."


3. (C) Rajoy stated the PSOE has spent most of its time
since taking office reversing policies or projects of the PP.
The Zapatero government has shifted foreign policy away from
the transatlantic relationship and toward France, has
reversed PP education reforms and has squelched a
controversial plan approved by the Aznar government to
transfer water from rivers in the north to the arid south.
The PSOE has fanned anti-American sentiments in Spain to gain
political advantage.


4. (C) Rajoy assured the Ambassador the PP maintains the
same foreign policy it did while Aznar was in office, not
only with respect to the U.S. but also in terms of Spain's
relationship with Europe. The PP is extremely troubled by
Zapatero's strong shift toward Europe and his apparent desire
to side with France "at every opportunity."


5. (C) Ambassador asked Rajoy what he thought of Zapatero's
performance at the NATO Istanbul Summit. Rajoy replied he
was perplexed that Zapatero inexplicably left the summit
before the first day had concluded. He also felt Zapatero
made a mistake supporting France's opposition to sending the
NATO Response Force to Afghanistan. This was yet another
example of Zapatero blindly following France's lead, said the
PP leader.


6. (C) On Afghanistan, Rajoy said he was certain the
government would send additional troops to Afghanistan,
including a battalion to assist with election security. The
PP will support the deployment.


7. (C) Rajoy said he believes that in terms of economic
policy, PSOE chose a fine minister of economy in Pedro
Solbes. He is the most talented member of Zapatero's
cabinet. Solbes has had to brake a number of initiatives by
other ministries and the big outstanding question is whether
he will continue to be able to hold off policies that are bad
for the economy.


8. (C) Regarding his own future, Rajoy said he intended to
remain the PP Secretary General. Rajoy said he would
present himself as a candidate at the party's national
convention expected to be held in October.


9. (C) Comment: The close result in the June 13 European
Parliament election has revived the confidence of the PP
leadership, which had been shaken by the PP's unexpected
defeat in last March's general election. A poor showing on
June 13 would have increased pressure for an alternative to
Rajoy to emerge within the party. Rajoy's position now
appears secure. Many in the PP expect the Socialist
government to unravel over the next two years. They predict
a less robust economic climate and a crisis over the PSOE's
inability to deal with nationalist demands, including from
within the party's own Catalan wing.
ARGYROS