In Depth: Election in Spain - formerly booming building industry now appears to be faltering - je 07.03.2008

Spaniards head to the polls this Sunday for parliamentary elections. And the poll promises to be a close one. According to the latest surveys taken this week, the country is split down the middle in its support for the two main parties --and they are: the governing socialists under Prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapetaro and the conservative opposition Popular Party or (PP), led by Mariano Rajoy. But now that Spain's economy is slowing and unemployment is rising, his conservative rival Mariano Rajoy is hoping that Spainards will come out on Sunday to vote for change. The country's booming building industry helped spur the economy and create many jobs. But now that industry appears to be faltering and many Spaniards are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.