The PP under Mariano Rajoy opposed the PSOE government after the PP lost the general election in 2004 , arguing that this victory was influenced by the Madrid bombings of 11 March 2004 . At a national level , its political strategy has followed two main axes , both linked to Spain 's delicate regional politics : Firstly , opposing further administrative devolution to Catalonia by means of the newly approved " Estatut " or Statute of Catalonia that lays out the powers of the Catalan regional government . Secondly , opposition to political negotiations with the Basque separatist organization ETA
Madrid bombings
2004 Madrid train bombings
People's Party (Spain)