Ex-PMs jump into the heated campaign race

Two of Spain's former prime ministers hit the campaign trail on Sunday as the nation entered its first official weekend of a heated race that is becoming more focused on national issues rather than local and regional matters.

The two major parties called in their political heavyweights, Felipe González and José María Aznar, who spoke at their respective Socialist and Popular Party rallies in Madrid and Guadalajara. Stumping for Tomás Gómez and Jaime Lissavetzky, running for Madrid regional premier and mayor, respectively, González attacked the PP for using ETA terrorism as a campaign weapon.

"I would never have imagined that they would use terrorist violence so irresponsibly and cynically," said González. "In democratic terms, anyone who capitalizes on terror doesn't deserve the trust of the people."

Aznar campaigned in Castilla-La Mancha, expected to be one of the biggest political battlefields as the PP tries to wrest the regional government away from the Socialists' José María Barreda.Aznar spoke Sunday night at arally for María Dolores de Cospedal, who is running against Barreda.

Meanwhile, his former interior minister, Ángel Acebes, said the Constitutional Court's decision on Thursday to allow Bildu to participate in the race was "a huge setback" for the nation. Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, campaigning for Socialist candidates in Gijón, warned that the PP, if it comes to power next year, will dismantle all the programs the Socialists have introduced.

Spaniards go to the polls on May 22 to elect regional and local leaders in what is seen as a vote on Zapatero's government.