A closer look: Attacks coincide with Socialist sweep, may signal terrorism's political pull
By Christian Mignot
March 16, 2004 9:00 p.m.
Spain’s incoming prime minister pledged Monday to bring
Spanish troops home from Iraq unless the United Nations takes
control there, further placing strain on already tender
relationships between the United States and its European
allies.
A day after his Socialists swept Spain’s ruling
conservatives from power in elections overshadowed by terrorist
bombings, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero also promised to lead a more
pro-European government that would restore
“˜”˜magnificent relations” with France and
Germany ““ which both opposed the Iraq war, unlike
Spain’s outgoing government.
In a surprise defeat, Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar’s
conservatives on Sunday became the first government that backed
Washington in Iraq to be voted from office.
Prior to the Thursday’s devastating train bombings ““
which killed 201 people and wounded 1,600 ““ Aznar’s
successor Deputy Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was favored to win
the election.
But the terrorist attacks seem to have acted as a catalyst for
political change, leading some analysts to characterize the
circumstances surrounding the election as a frightening precedent
in European politics.
A potential withdrawal of the 13,000 Spanish troops stationed in
Iraq would have a symbolic effect on American efforts in the Middle
East.
“Americans will probably interpret this as an indication
that they will have to stand alone, while most Europeans will see
this as evidence as to the unpopularity of the U.S.
position,” said Barry O’Neill, professor of political
science.
Political science professor Steven Spiegel, assistant director
for the Burkle Center for International Relations, said that in the
past, terrorists in Israel have planned attacks to coincide with
elections in order to impact voter choices.
He added that such attacks usually sway the electorate towards
the right, not the left ““ making the recent election in Spain
an unprecedented event.
“Terrorism has become so much a part of our world that it
can swing elections,” Spiegel said. “That (terrorists)
can sway voters is a very scary prospect.”
With reports from Bruin wire services.
