The Socialist party’s victory in Sunday’s general election in Spain has given José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the Socialist leader and prime minister, a much-needed boost given the difficult economic times that lie ahead.

With more than 90 per cent of votes counted, the results showed the ruling Socialists winning 167 seats in parliament, just nine seats short of an absolute majority. If the results are confirmed, that would make a Socialist government less beholden to small regional parties that have often held the balance of power in Spain.