Spanish Socialists press ahead with primaries despite election defeat

 Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Wednesday that his ruling Socialist (PSOE) party would continue with primary elections to choose his successor despite the heavy defeat it suffered in regional and local elections on Sunday.

"Of course we are going to have a process of primary elections, it is what corresponds to the occasion and what is healthy," Zapatero said, "We are a democratic party and people are going to be able to see that in the next few days."

The PSOE lost control of virtually all of the country's autonomous xommunities as well as key cities, such as Seville and Barcelona, as they polled less than 28 percent of Sunday's vote.

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