PP unveils part of electoral platform, promises to cut taxes

With just four days to go before the official election campaign begins, the opposition Popular Party (PP) on Sunday unveiled part of its platform, with its leader Mariano Rajoy promising to cut taxes and strengthen pensions.

The PP candidate for prime minister also said that he will reform the abortion law, but didn't say how, as well as making changes to the controversial labor-reform package that was passed this year by the Socialist government.

Rajoy is also planning on introducing a new method in the way public school teachers are hired, based on qualifications and merit.

The preview of the PP platform included re-introducing a tax deduction for the purchase of new homes. The tax break had been eliminated by the Socialist government.

With regard to labor reform, the PP referred to simplifying work contracts but the document does not state whether it will introduce just one type of contract, as some sectors of the center-right have been asking for.

For his part, Socialist candidate Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba said that the difference between him and Rajoy "is that we think we can emerge from this crisis without having to cut any social policies [for Spaniards]."

Rubalcaba is also in favor of keeping the wealth tax intact - something his opponent wants to eliminate.

With less than three weeks before the November 20 elections, the Socialists are trailing the PP by more than 14 points according to latest polls. The outgoing Socialist government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has been battered by a worsening economy and soaring unemployment, which now stands at 21 percent.