At the end of the first meeting of the new executive elected at last weekend's 37th annual party conference, socialist leader José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero confirmed yesterday that the government would be introducing new legislation concerning abortion, the right to a dignified death for terminally-ill patients, and the extension of regional and municipal voting rights to immigrants from outside the European Union.

"We're going to do it, and what's more, we're going to do it soon," vowed Mr Zapatero, who went on to criticise opposition leader Mariano Rajoy for suggesting that the public is not interested in the issues discussed at the socialist convention.

According to a report in today's El País, proposals for new bills advocating the abolition of state funerals and the use of religious artefacts such as crucifixes or Bibles at official public occasions, were withdrawn at the instance of Mr Zapatero himself.

During last weekend's conference, Leire Pajín was named as José Blanco's successor as Organisation secretary while Mr Blanco was promoted to the previously- unoccupied position of party vice-secretary.

Socialists to debate euthanasia, abortion and immigrant voting rights
By: thinkSPAIN
Friday, July 4, 2008

Among the items on the agenda for the 37th PSOE party conference in Madrid this weekend will be euthanasia, abortion, and a proposal to extend municipal and regional election voting rights to immigrants from outside the European Union.

Once ratified in his post for the third time, party general secretary, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, is expected to unveil a number of changes to his cabinet of ministers, and there are rumours that an unidentified woman will be named as his new 'number three'.

It is believed that José Blanco (photo, overseeing final preparations at the Palacio de Congresos yesterday) will keep his job as Organisation secretary, that Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba and Carme Chacón will continue heading up the Interior and Defence ministries respectively, and that José Antonio Alonso will carry on as the party's parliamentary spokesman.

Former Employment minister, Jesús Caldera, will also keep his place on the cabinet - in a new role, heading up a so-called 'macro-foundation', that is being described as an "ideas laboratory."