Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

The 44-year-old grandson of a Republican army officer shot during the civil war, Mr Rodriguez Zapatero joined the Socialist Party (PSOE) as a teenager in 1979.

He rose through the ranks fast, and became Spain's youngest MP in 1986 - but despite this early start, he never held ministerial office until April 2004.

When Mr Zapatero became PSOE leader in 2000, it was in disarray and divided.

Mariano Rajoy leader of opposition PP Popular Party.

At 48, Mr Rajoy is an experienced politician.

He comes from a prominent political family in the western region of Galicia, and his CV includes spells as minister for culture, education and the interior.