"Markets are very important but for the government the citizens are more so."

"I want to increase our spending on research and development by 25%. That's something the U.S. does very well. That dynamism alongside a welfare state in the European community - that's the synthesis I want to achieve."

"The economic, social and cultural progress of a nation depends on citizens counting for more and having more rights."

"We're aligning ourselves with Kerry. Our allegiance will be for peace, against war, no more deaths for oil, and for a dialogue between the government of Spain and the new Kerry administration."

"My commitment is my commitment."

"I will listen to Mr Bush but my position is very clear and very firm. The occupation is a fiasco. There have been almost more deaths after the war than during the war."

"I said when I came into office that I don't want to be a great leader; I want to be a good democrat."

"It's true that the war in Iraq opened a distance in relations between part of Europe and the U.S. government, but our basic ties are stronger than that. We share democracy, free markets and a commitment to Western security. We differ on how to guarantee that security."

"Spaniards have always shown great maturity and great common sense when it comes to voting."

"The corporations and the media don't need power; they already have it."