Press reaction

While no one could really have been shocked to see the People's Party (PP) take power in Spain, the extent of the Socialists' defeat has raised some eyebrows and seen the press reaching for the superlatives.

The newspaper El Pais leads with the headline: "Crisis hands absolute power to the PP," and remarks that the PP surpassed its previous best showing under Jose Maria Aznar in 2000, with 186 seats over the earlier 183. The left-of-center daily duly notes that the new government had consolidated more power, following a strong regional showing in May, than any government since end of the Franco era.

"The worst economic crisis of the democracy and the failed management of the Socialist government - which began its term of office with 2 million unemployed and finished with 5 million - has given an absolute majority for the People's Party to manage a way, unfettered, out of the hole, in the midst of the storm," it writes.

El Pais' conservative rival, El Mundo, also remarks on the scale of Rajoy's win over the Socialist PSOE party, proclaiming: "The PP destroys the PSOE." However, the paper's coverage was careful to point out that Rajoy had promised to govern with consensus.

"During the campaign, the leader of the PP has tried to allay fears that an overwhelming majority of the party would mean 'steamroller politics' in parliament," writes the newspaper. "At rallies and interviews, Rajoy promised several times that he will act according to ‘dialogue, consensus and agreement.' What is clear is that Rajoy is assuming power at a time of the greatest economic urgency."

Lament for the left

"In the hands of the right," reads the headline of the left-wing daily Publico, which laments the poor showing of the Socialists - the worst since Spain's first elections after Franco according to the number of seats gained this time - only 110.

"In 1977, in the first elections in Spain after the death of Franco, the PSOE gained 118 seats in congress," reads one piece. "Thirty-four years later, the Socialist party has broken that record with the worst results of its history." The newspaper says the PSOE's poor results in March's regional elections had signaled that a huge defeat was on its way.

Back on the right of the political spectrum, the website of daily newspaper ABC celebrates with a large picture of Rajoy kissing his wife Elvira Fernandez on the balcony of the PP party headquarters in Madrid.

"Spain entrusts its future to Mariano Rajoy," trumpets the headline, with the newspaper also detailing the record nature of the PP win. However, writer Luis Ventoso also finds time to speculate on the pressing tasks now facing Rajoy.

"Nothing is known of the caliber of someone in power until they are sitting in the hot seat, facing the ultimate decision," Ventoso comments. "Rajoy will have his fiber put to the test in an agonizing situation. The challenge will demand initiative of him to put in place deep reforms now, not in January."

Author: Richard Connor
Editor: Martin Kuebler