Conservatives concede election defeat in Spain

Spain’s opposition conservatives tonight conceded defeat in the general election to the ruling Socialists.

“I congratulate the Socialist party,” Popular Party spokesman Pio Garcia Escudero told a news conference in Madrid.

“It appears (their) victory is clear.”

He says Popular Party was pleased because – despite its defeat – it has gained more seats than any other group.

Later Zapatero thanked supporters for handing his party a "clear victory" and said he had received a congratulatory phone call from his opponent.

“The Spanish people have spoken clearly and decided to start a new era,” Zapatero told supporters outside the party’s headquarters in Madrid.