US embassy cable - 04MADRID2530

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 002530 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, SP, Popular Party 
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 
 
SIPDIS 
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