Thanks, But No Thanks

He is the most popular politician in Spain, always outpointing his boss, Prime Minister José María Aznar, in opinion polls. Jaime Mayor Oreja has a deep, calming voice, is rarely ruffled and, during five years as Interior Minister, had a good record as overseer of police actions against the Basque terrorist group ETA. A Basque himself, he seemed to be the perfect pick when Aznar made him the Popular Party's candidate for 'lehendakari', or president, of the autonomous northern region in the May 13 elections. Most commentators agreed, especially after the PP and the Socialists joined in an informal coalition to...