World | Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero Spain's PM Tells Church to Get Out of Election Zapatero meets with Vatican rep over campaign to oust him By Jason Farago Posted Feb 14, 2008 11:53 AM CST Copied Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero gives his speech at a pre-electoral party rally in Madrid, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008. Spain goes to the polls next March 9. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza) (Associated Press) Spanish PM José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is meeting today with a Vatican representative to protest the Catholic Church's call for voters to oust his Socialist party in the March 9 general election. Zapatero was infuriated by bishops' publication of "moral guidance," calling on parishioners to vote out the government and effectively endorsing the conservative opposition, the Times of London reports. Zapatero's government has moved to legalize gay marriage, relax laws on divorce, and end compulsory religious education in schools—all of which have drawn the Church's ire. Bishops also castigated Zapatero for negotiating with Basque separatists after supporting an earlier conservative effort. The government responded that the bishops want a return to Franco's fascist era—which the Church strongly supported. Read These Next "Admiral Piett" of the Star Wars universe died from COVID. Trump voter who supported mass deportations could be deported herself. Shooter opens fire on Texas Border Patrol What makes a person cool? These six traits. Report an error