Spain PM Rajoy facing key regional vote testOctober 21, 2012 - 17:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Voters are going 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, BBC News said. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. For the first time, Armenia votes in favor of Georgia resolution in UN Armenia on Tuesday, June 4 voted for the first time in favor a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Moscow warns Armenia against leaving Russian-led defense bloc Armenia could ruin its military ties with Russia if it continues drifting towards the West, according to a senior official in Moscow. Moscow says ready to support Yerevan-Baku reconciliation Moscow has confirmed its readiness to support the reconciliation of Yerevan and Baku. |